Deshaun Watson suspended for six games

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been suspended for just six games following accusations of sexual misconduct, per Ian Rapoport.

Former federal judge Sue L. Robinson, the disciplinary officer jointly appointed by the NFL and players’ union, determined that Watson has violated the league’s personal conduct policy.

The NFL has three days to file an appeal, which would be heard by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The NFL Players Association made it clear on Sunday that it would not be appealing to any decision.

No fine has as of yet been included in Robinson’s verdict.

Watson, drafted by the Houston Texans in 2017, has been accused of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct in civil lawsuits filed by 25 women, with the encounters cited taking place between March 2020 and March 2021. One lawsuit was dropped following a judge ruling in April 2021, and Watson settled 20 of the remaining 24 he was facing in June 2022.

That same month, the Texans agreed settlements with 30 women who made claims against the organisation for its role in supressing allegation against Watson.

According to ESPN’s John Barr on 31 July, three of the remaining four lawsuits against Watson have now been settled.

Watson’s future has been under extreme scrutiny for the past year. But finally we have some clarity this year. The Browns traded for Watson earlier in 2022. The deal was one of the biggest in the league’s history, with Cleveland sending three first-round draft picks to the Texans, while giving Watson a new five-year contract worth more than $230 million.

More details to follow.