TEXAS — The NFL has filed an appeal today to Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension. The appeal comes days after judge Sue L. Robinson found that Watson violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy on multiple occasions. Because of this, Robinson made the decision to suspend the star quarterback from playing for six games in the 2022-23 season.
It is unclear whether the appeal will lead to a longer suspension for Watson, though experts suspect it will.
Watson has recently been the subject of an investigation due to sexual assault allegations. Twenty-four women have accused the 26-year-old of assault. Of those women, Watson reached settlements with 23.
The Houston Texans signed Watson in September 2020, but he ended up not playing at all during the 2021 season due to conflicts with the team’s management. Watson was also vocal about the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 and even marched with the family of George Floyd — who grew up in Houston — during a protest.
Watson was traded to the Cleveland Browns this March, a decision that divided Browns fans in light of the assault allegations against him.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will determine who will hear the appeal.
