Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was told on Aug. 1 that he will serve a six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after being accused of sexual misconduct.
Watson has been accused of sexual misconduct in civil lawsuits that were filed by 25 women. In June, Watson settled 20 of the cases and settled three more on Aug. 1.
As a part of his suspension, Watson must also receive all his massages from the Browns team therapists.
Disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson’s 15-page conclusion stated that even though Watson violated the personal conduct policy, there was not enough evidence to suspend him for longer than six games. According to the Washington Post, the NFL was seeking a one-year suspension for Watson.
The NFL and NFLPA have three days to appeal Robinson’s decision, but the NFLPA said on July 30 that they don’t plan on doing so.
“Every player, owner, business partner and stakeholder deserves to know that our process is legitimate and will not be tarnished based on the whims of the League office,” the NFLPA said in a statement on Twitter. “This is why, regardless of [Robinson’s] decision, Deshaun and the NFLPA will stand by her ruling and we call on the NFL to do the same.”
Watson is eligible to return on Oct. 23, 2022, against the Baltimore Ravens.
