The NFL is arguing for a suspension of at least one season for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, in a hearing that began on Tuesday. Watson was accused by twenty-four women of sexual misconduct, and the league argues that this violates the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Should Watson be suspended, he would not get paid for the 2022-2023 season, and he would have to appeal for reinstatement.
The NFL Players Association, on the side of Watson, is expected to advocate for a lesser punishment for Watson, even perhaps arguing for no suspension at all. Both sides will argue their case to former US district judge, Sue L. Robinson, the appointed disciplinary officer.
Robinson will make the first disciplinary ruling. If Robinson rules that Watson violated the personal conduct policy, either side could appeal to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. If Robinson rules that Watson was in line with the personal conduct policy, the case will be closed, with no appeals being allowed.
Even though no one is certain when the hearings will be over or the initial ruling will be made, the NFL strives to have the entire case closed before training camp, which starts on July 27th. Watson was traded from the Houston Texans to the Cleveland Browns this offseason, and the Browns’ first veteran players practice is July 27th.
Regarding the hearings, Watson will not be charged with a crime, since the hearings are not trials and therefore do not concern criminal charges, but rather just disciplinary measures on the league’s part. Disciplinary measures can be imposed without criminal charges, under the personal conduct policy. Watson has already reached settlements in 20 of the 24 lawsuits filed against him. Tony Buzbee, the lawyer representing the women, expects the rest to be resolved in court.
This case sets the tone for future cases involving sexual misconduct among NFL players, and the ruling must be made with careful consideration of the future implications.
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Should Watson be suspended, he would not get paid for the 2022-2023 season, and he would have to appeal for reinstatement.
The NFL Players Association, on the side of Watson, is expected to advocate for a lesser punishment for Watson, even perhaps arguing for no suspension at all. Both sides will argue their case to former US district judge, Sue L. Robinson, the appointed disciplinary officer.
Robinson will make the first disciplinary ruling. If Robinson rules that Watson violated the personal conduct policy, either side could appeal to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. If Robinson rules that Watson was in line with the personal conduct policy, the case will be closed, with no appeals being allowed.
Even though no one is certain when the hearings will be over or the initial ruling will be made, the NFL strives to have the entire case closed before training camp, which starts on July 27th. Watson was traded from the Houston Texans to the Cleveland Browns this offseason, and the Browns’ first veteran players practice is July 27th.
Regarding the hearings, Watson will not be charged with a crime, since the hearings are not trials and therefore do not concern criminal charges, but rather just disciplinary measures on the league’s part. Disciplinary measures can be imposed without criminal charges, under the personal conduct policy. Watson has already reached settlements in 20 of the 24 lawsuits filed against him. Tony Buzbee, the lawyer representing the women, expects the rest to be resolved in court.
This case sets the tone for future cases involving sexual misconduct among NFL players, and the ruling must be made with careful consideration of the future implications.
Link to source: https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1656284091610x344997111851626800/NFL%20to%20seek%20at%20least%20one-year%20ban%20of%20Deshaun%20Watson%20at%20Tuesday%20hearing%20-%20The%20Washington%20Post.pdf