CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been suspended for six games for violating the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy, according to ESPN.
Retired judge Sue L. Robinson found that Watson violated the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy amid sexual misconduct allegations, ESPN reported. The Browns will be without Watson for the first six games of the season, unless the NFL and the NFLPA appeal the decision, which they can under the Personal Conduct Policy.
However, the NFLPA released a statement Sunday night prior to the decision, saying it would not appeal and encouraged the NFL to follow suit.
“In advance of Judge Robinson’s decision, we wanted to reiterate the facts of this proceeding,” the union said in a statement. “First, we have fully cooperated with every NFL inquiry and provided the NFL with the most comprehensive set of information for any personal conduct policy investigation. A former Federal Judge — appointed jointly by the NFLPA and NFL — held a full and fair hearing, has read thousands of pages of investigative documents and reviewed arguments from both sides impartially. Every player, owner, business partner and stakeholder deserves to know that our process is legitimate and will not be tarnished based on the whims of the League office. This is why, regardless of her decision, Deshaun and the NFLPA will stand by her ruling and we call on the NFL to do the same.”
The NFL released a statement Monday according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, thanking Robinson for her review of the case.
“Pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the NFL or the NFLPA on behalf of Watson may appeal the decision within three days,” the NFL statement said. “In light of her findings, the leauge is reviewing Judge Robinson’s imposition of a six-game suspension and will make a determination on next steps.”
Watson was accused of sexual harassment and assault by 24 massage therapists in Texas and has settled 23 of the civil lawsuits filed against him. He settled three of them just hours before Robinson’s ruling, Houston attorney Tony Buzbee told ESPN early Monday.
Two separate Texas grand juries declined to indict Watson on criminal complaints stemming from the allegations.
Watson, who played for four seasons with Houston before being traded to Cleveland in March, has been practicing with the Browns while Robinson has spent weeks trying to determine whether the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy and whether to impose discipline.
The NFL argued for an indefinite suspension of at least one year during a three-day hearing in Delaware last month. The league also wants to fine Watson $5 million, according to a person familiar with the discussions. But according to multiple reports, Watson wasn’t fined.
Watson took the majority of first-team reps with Cleveland’s starting offense during the first four days of camp.
On Saturday, the 26-year-old quarterback practiced in front of Browns fans for the first time since signing a fully guaranteed, five-year $230 million contract with the team in March. He stayed after practice to sign autographs and pose for photos with fans. He even signed and gave away his cleats after losing a game of rock, paper, scissors to a young fan.
Cleveland traded three first-round draft picks to Houston for Watson, a player the team believes can make it a Super Bowl contender.
Coach Kevin Stefanski reiterated last week that backup Jacoby Brissett will be the team’s starter if Watson is suspended. The Browns also recently signed veteran Josh Rosen as more insurance and Josh Dobbs is also on the roster.
