Deshaun Watson, quarterback of the Cleveland Browns, was accused of sexual
misconduct in two dozen civil lawsuits filed by women. He violated the NFL’s personal
conduct policy and should be suspended for at least the entire 2022 season.
However, the NFL Players Association is defending Watson by seeking far less severe
discipline and perhaps no suspension at all. Former U.S. district judge Sue L. Robinson will
make the initial disciplinary ruling, under the revised personal conduct policy completed in 2020.
According to The Washington Post, “[if] Robinson rules that Watson violated the
conduct policy and imposes disciplinary measures, the league or the union could appeal the
penalty to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell or a person designated by him. If Robinson rules
that Watson did not violate the policy, the case would be closed, with no possibility of an
appeal.”
It’s not clear how long the hearing will last or when Robinson will make an initial ruling.
The NFLPA’s job is to protect the players but not blindly defend the players’ wrong doings. It is important that the league appreciate the victimized women who stand up for themselves.
Cite:
Maske, Mark. “Deshaun Watson’s NFL Hearing Begins and Could Last Multiple Days.”
The Washington Post, WP Company, 28 June 2022,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/06/28/deshaun-watson-nfl-hearing/
misconduct in two dozen civil lawsuits filed by women. He violated the NFL’s personal
conduct policy and should be suspended for at least the entire 2022 season.
However, the NFL Players Association is defending Watson by seeking far less severe
discipline and perhaps no suspension at all. Former U.S. district judge Sue L. Robinson will
make the initial disciplinary ruling, under the revised personal conduct policy completed in 2020.
According to The Washington Post, “[if] Robinson rules that Watson violated the
conduct policy and imposes disciplinary measures, the league or the union could appeal the
penalty to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell or a person designated by him. If Robinson rules
that Watson did not violate the policy, the case would be closed, with no possibility of an
appeal.”
It’s not clear how long the hearing will last or when Robinson will make an initial ruling.
The NFLPA’s job is to protect the players but not blindly defend the players’ wrong doings. It is important that the league appreciate the victimized women who stand up for themselves.
Cite:
Maske, Mark. “Deshaun Watson’s NFL Hearing Begins and Could Last Multiple Days.”
The Washington Post, WP Company, 28 June 2022,
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/06/28/deshaun-watson-nfl-hearing/
