Deshaun Watson suspended six games: What we know and what's next for Browns QB, NFL
The long-awaited announcement of Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson's suspension finally happened Monday, and the verdict by former U.S. District Judge Sue L. Robinson was a six-game penalty for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.
Watson had faced 24 civil lawsuits over accusations of sexual misconduct that occurred during massage appointments. He has settled 23 of them. In Robinson's report, she said Watson conducted "nonviolent sexual conduct."
The six-game suspension is in line with the NFL's new personal conduct policy. The NFL Players Association said Sunday that it would not appeal the decision regardless of the outcome. The league has until Thursday to appeal the suspension.
The length of Watson's suspension (he'll be eligible to return for the Browns' game against the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 23), came as a bit of a surprise given that in June the NFL recommended that the quarterback serve an indefinite suspension of at least a year.
Deshaun Watson suspension reaction, analysis
- What we know on possible NFL appeal: While there was finally clarity on Monday, the league could return Watson's status to an uncertain state in the coming days.
- How does Watson's suspension compare? Watson's six-game ban is just the latest in a long history of NFL-imposed discipline against players accused of sexual and domestic violence.
- Watson's 'towel trick' helped convince judge to suspend him: Watson had a certain habit in massages that became a key piece of evidence in Sue L. Robinson's suspension decision.
- Watson gets laughable suspension as NFL fumbles case: The retired judge who gave Watson a measly six-game suspension deserves criticism, but the NFL failed to make a strong enough case against QB, writes Nancy Armour.
- Browns get lucky: Watson missing six games does not spell doom in the AFC for the Browns, with only one top-tier opposing quarterback in that stretch.
- Read the full decision on Deshaun Watson's suspension: Retired federal judge Robinson released her Watson decision on Monday. See the entire 16-page document here.
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