How or how Watson will be disciplined under the League’s Personal Behavior Policy after the NFL’s 15-month investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. The decision on whether to do so is scheduled for Monday.
Sue L. Robinson, a former federal judge jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFL Players Association, has informed both the League and the Players Union of a ruling on Monday, a direct source. The two said. Robinson’s knowledge of communication. Robinson did not publicly discuss this process, so these people wanted to remain anonymous.
From the fall of 2019, when Watson was a member of the Houston Texans, to March 2021, more than 20 women accused Watson of sexually coercing and lewd behavior towards the women he hired for massages. condemned the Twenty-four women filed civil lawsuits against Watson, and 20 cases were settled in June. Watson denied his allegations, and grand juries in two Texas counties refused to bring criminal charges against Watson.
Some of the actions prohibited by the League’s personal course of conduct include sexual offenses, actions that endanger the safety and well-being of others, and compromise the integrity of the League.
The Browns traded Watson in March for a five-year, $230 million, fully insured contract after the first grand jury denied indicting him and before the second did. gave him Watson’s discipline decision comes not only as a result of the Browns’ investment in him, but also because the breadth of allegations against Watson sets this apart from other cases of personal conduct the league has considered. was widely expected.
The league and Watson representatives were unable to negotiate a mutually agreed discipline and left the first decision in Robinson’s hands. She oversaw a three-day hearing in late June, during which the NFL recommended that Watson be suspended indefinitely and that she had to wait at least one season to reapply. This was the NFL’s first personal action case heard by a disciplinary officer on behalf of Commissioner Roger Goodell, a protocol established in the 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The League and Players Association will file a written appeal within three business days of Robinson’s decision, which will be processed by Goodell or a person of his choice. However, the players’ union said in a statement before Robinson’s decision on Sunday night that he would not appeal and called on the NFL to support the ruling.
“All players, owners, business partners and stakeholders deserve to know that our process is legal and will not be harmed based on the whims of the league office,” the union said. Told. “This is why DeShawn and the NFLPA will stand by her decision regardless of her decision, and we call on the NFL to do the same.”
The NFL began investigating Watson in March 2021, when the first accuser lawsuit was filed. League investigators, who do not have subpoena powers, have identified 10 of his women who filed a lawsuit against Watson, contemporaneous witnesses to verify their accounts, and other women who worked with Watson. I met you.
