Watson has been accused by more than two dozen women of sexual misconduct during massage treatments.
On Monday, the Cleveland Browns quarterback was suspended for six games without pay for multiple violations of the National Football League’s personal conduct policy.
Watson played for four seasons with the Houston Texans before being traded to Cleveland in March.
Disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson found that Watson violated the policy’s provisions by engaging in unwanted sexual contact with another person, endangering the safety and well-being of another person and undermining the league’s integrity.
Robinson is a retired federal judge jointly appointed by the NFL and the players’ union to oversee the hearing.
The NFL pushed for an indefinite suspension of at least one year. Additionally, Watson’s legal team argued for no punishment during a three-day hearing that concluded June 30.
The NFL Players Association has said it would abide by Robinson’s ruling. If the NFL appeals, Commissioner Roger Goodell or someone he designates will make the ruling on an appropriate punishment, per terms of the collective bargaining agreement. The union then could try to challenge that ruling in federal court.
Watson recently settled 23 of 24 lawsuits filed by women alleging sexual harassment and assault during the treatments in 2020 and 2021.
As a condition of his reinstatement, Watson was also directed to use only club-approved massage therapists, in club-directed sessions, for the duration of his career.
Watson has not been fined or required to undergo counseling.
“Although this is the most significant punishment ever imposed on an NFL player for allegations of nonviolent sexual conduct, Mr. Watson’s pattern of conduct is more egregious than any before reviewed by the NFL,” Robinson wrote in the conclusion to her 16-page report.
Watson, who signed a fully guaranteed $230 million, five-year contract, will lose only $345,000 if the suspension is unchanged because his base salary this season is $1.035 million. His $45 million signing bonus is not affected by the suspension.
While Watson is serving his suspension, quarterback Jacoby Brissett will be expected to start the season for the Browns.
However, there’s still potentially more to unfold in all of this before an ultimate resolution.
The NFL has three days to appeal the decision. With the Watson ruling falling short of what the league was looking for, will they choose to appeal Robinson’s decision?
Remember, Robinson was appointed by the league and players association.
Arguably the biggest storyline of the offseason still has more ground to cover.
Main Image: Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Anthony Rushing is on Twitter @TonyRushingNY
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