Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension will be appealed by the NFL, which was seeking an indefinite suspension of at least one year prior to Watson’s suspension.
The NFL informed the NFLPA that it will appeal disciplinary officer Seul Robinson’s decision to suspend Watson on Wednesday afternoon. Commissioner Roger Goodell will determine who will hear the appeal. Under the CBA, Goodell also has the authority to consider the appeal himself. The NFLPA has two business days to file a written response to the appeal.
Earlier Wednesday, ESPN reported that the NFLPA is preparing to sue the NFL in federal court if it appeals Robinson’s decision.
Watson recently faced 24 civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct during a massage session during his time with the Houston Texans. He has since settled 23 of those suits – three before Robinson’s decision on Monday. Watson, who has denied any wrongdoing, was not indicted on criminal charges by two Texas grand juries earlier this offseason.
“On Monday, Judge Sue L. Robinson, the independent disciplinary officer appointed jointly by the NFL and the NFL Players Association, issued her decision regarding Deshaun Watson’s personal conduct policy,” the league said in a statement. “What?” Via NFL Media. “Under the 2020 NFL-NFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement (‘CBA’), the disciplinary officer’s factual findings are binding and non-appealable. Judge Robinson found that Mr. Watson violated the NFL on multiple occasions. has violated the personal conduct policy and is suspended for six games. The CBA provides the NFL or the NFLPA with the right to appeal discipline imposed by a disciplinary officer. Such appeal shall be three must be filed within the day and will be heard by the Commissioner or his designee.
“The NFL notified the NFLPA that it will appeal Judge Robinson’s disciplinary decision and will file its brief this afternoon. Commissioner Roger Goodell will determine who will hear the appeal.”
Robinson’s decision was revealed Monday morning, as the Browns opened their second week of training camp. Watson did not issue a statement following the decision, with Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam releasing their own shortly after the suspension became public knowledge.
“Throughout this process, Deshaun and his representatives have adhered to the NFLPA’s and NFL’s newly created process and agreed to allow an objective judge, Sue Sue, to thoroughly review all information and make a fair decision. Defer to L. Robinson. We respect Judge Robinson. The decision, and at the same time, have sympathy and understand that many people have been moved throughout this process.
“We know that DeShawn regrets that this situation has caused so much pain to so many people and that he will continue to do the necessary work to show who he is on and off the field, and we will continue to support him. ”
As it stands now, Watson will miss at least the first six games of the 2022 season. In the interim, Cleveland’s starting quarterback will be Jacoby Brissett, who made 37 career starts during his time with the Patriots, Colts and Dolphins.
