Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson suspended six games for violating NFL policy

The Browns finally have an answer about Deshaun Watson's availability.

On Monday, Watson was suspended without pay for the first six games of the 2022 season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, a decision made by disciplinary officer Sue Robinson.

Either Watson, through the NFL Players Association, or the NFL could appeal the suspension doled out by Robinson, a former U.S. District Court judge appointed and compensated by the league and NFLPA.

The NFLPA and Watson stated Sunday night they would "stand by" Robinson's ruling and urged the NFL to do the same. However, the league has left the door open for an appeal.

The personal conduct policy states appeals are handled by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell or his designee.

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If the league were to appeal, it must be in writing within three business days, and any response from the union would need to be filed in writing within two business days thereafter.

“We thank Judge Sue L. Robinson, the independent disciplinary officer, for her review of the voluminous record and attention during a three-day hearing that resulted in her finding multiple violations of the NFL Personal Conduct Policy by Deshaun Watson," league spokesman Brian McCarthy said Monday in a statement. "We appreciate Judge Robinson’s diligence and professionalism throughout this process.

“Pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the NFL or the NFLPA on behalf of Watson may appeal the decision within three days. In light of her findings, the league is reviewing Judge Robinson’s imposition of a six-game suspension and will make a determination on next steps.”

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Watson's punishment stems from 26 women accusing the quarterback through the judicial system of sexual misconduct or sexual assault during massage appointments.

Watson had a disciplinary hearing in front of Robinson from June 28-30 during which she considered the cases of four accusers, her 16-page ruling states. Robinson also requested post-hearing briefs, which were filed July 12. Watson's camp and the league obviously failed to agree to a settlement, leaving Robinson to render a decision.

"Although this is the most significant punishment ever imposed on an NFL player for allegations of non-violent sexual conduct," Robinson wrote in her ruling, "Mr. Watson’s pattern of conduct is more egregious than any before reviewed by the NFL."

In Robinson's decision, which was obtained by the Beacon Journal, she wrote Watson violated the personal conduct policy as follows:

• "I ... find that the NFL has carried its burden to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Mr. Watson engaged in sexual assault (as defined by the NFL) against the four therapists identified in the Report."

• "I find that the NFL has carried its burden to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Mr. Watson’s conduct posed a genuine danger to the safety and well-being of another person."

• "The NFL has ... demonstrated that Mr. Watson engaged in sexualized conduct during the massage sessions. I find this evidence sufficient to demonstrate that Mr. Watson’s conduct undermined the integrity of the NFL in the eyes of the therapists. ... Mr. Watson’s predatory conduct cast 'a negative light on the League and its players,' sufficient proof that he violated this provision of the Policy."

Although two Texas grand juries combined in March to decline to indict Watson on 10 criminal complaints, he faced civil lawsuits filed on behalf of 24 of the women.

Watson reached settlements with three of the women late Sunday night and with 20 of them on June 21. Only one lawsuit remains unsettled.

“We will continue to discuss the remaining case with Watson’s legal team, as appropriate,” Tony Buzbee, the lead attorney for the women, said Monday in a statement.

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Robinson stated in her ruling Watson must "limit his massage therapy to Club-directed sessions and Club-approved massage therapists for the duration of his career." He also must have "no adverse involvement with law enforcement, and must not commit any additional violations of the Policy," per Robinson's decision.

Watson's former team, the Houston Texans, was named as a defendant in a lawsuit on June 27, alleging the franchise enabled the QB's behavior, including providing non-disclosure agreements to be signed by the women and the location at which the massages occurred. On July 15, the Texans settled with 30 women who made or intended to make claims against Watson.

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Watson has repeatedly denied all wrongdoing.

“I have never assaulted, disrespected or harassed any woman in my life,” Watson said March 25 during his introductory news conference with the Browns, who opened training camp this past Wednesday in Berea. Watson practiced with the team Monday afternoon.

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Watson reiterated his stance June 14 during mandatory minicamp. However, he did clarify his previous statements about having "never disrespected a woman in his life" and that he had "no regrets," comments made during his Browns introduction in March.

"I think that question kind of triggered a lot of people," Watson said in June. "Not just women in general but a lot of people in the league from women to males and things like that. What I was saying is, yes, I've never assaulted, disrespected or harassed anyone.

"But at the same time I understand and I do have regrets as far as the impact that it's had on the community and people outside of just myself," he continued. "That includes my family, that includes this organization, that includes my teammates in this locker room that have to answer to these questions, that includes the fan base of the Cleveland Browns, that includes males, females, everyone across the world. That's one thing that I do regret is the impact that it's triggered on so many people and it's tough to have to deal with."

The NFL sought an indefinite suspension for Watson of no less than one season, Robinson's ruling confirmed. According to the collective bargaining agreement, the league had to inform Watson and his team of that desire at least 10 days prior to his hearing with Robinson. Meanwhile, the NFLPA fought for no suspension, pointing to the lack of discipline imposed in the past on some of the league's owners, including the New England Patriots' Robert Kraft, who faced allegations of soliciting prostitution in 2019.

What does the personal conduct policy say about how NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell must handle an appeal?

The personal conduct policy stipulates appeals handled by Goodell or his designee will be processed on an expedited basis, limited to consideration of the terms of discipline imposed by Robinson and based upon a review of the existing record without reference to evidence or testimony not previously considered.

Goodell or his designee may overturn, reduce, modify or increase the discipline, and the decision will be final, according to the personal conduct policy.

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On July 18, Yahoo's Charles Robinson reported Watson's camp and the NFLPA had decided to file a lawsuit against the league if Watson were to receive a full-season suspension at the end of the entire process. The same day, Watson's lead attorney, Rusty Hardin, said in a text message to the Beacon Journal he wasn't aware of such a decision.

“Not that I know of," Hardin said via text. "I can speak for only DW's legal team and we know nothing about it.”

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The NFL investigated the allegations against Watson, and league officials interviewed him for four days, Hardin told USA TODAY Sports. NFL investigators interviewed 12 of the alleged victims. In May, two of them appeared on an episode of HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" to detail their accusations.

“[T]he NFL only investigated the claims of the 24 therapists suing Mr. Watson for damages," Robinson wrote in her decision. "Of these 24 complainants, the NFL investigators were only able to interview 12; of those 12, the NFL relied for its conclusions on the testimony of 4 therapists ... as well as interviews of some 37 other third parties and substantial documentary evidence.”

Despite Watson's legal trouble, the Browns acquired him March 18 in a blockbuster trade, sending six draft picks, including three in the first round, to the Texans. The Browns also gave Watson a five-year contract worth a record-setting $230 million fully guaranteed as he chose Cleveland over three other finalists in the sweepstakes for his services — the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints.

At the time the deal materialized, Watson faced 22 civil lawsuits. The 23rd was filed in May and the 24th in June.

How much money would NFL suspension cost Deshaun Watson?

Although Watson received a signing bonus of $44.965 million, his base salary for the first year of the deal is $1.035 million, the league minimum for a player with his experience. The pay Watson is set to be docked for his suspension would come from his base salary. The suspension would cost him $57,500 for each game his misses, so it would be a total of $345,000 for six games.

Provided Watson's suspension stands, he'll be scheduled to debut with the Browns on Oct. 23, when they will visit the Baltimore Ravens. Watson would miss games against the Panthers, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Falcons, Los Angeles Chargers and Patriots.

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Watson is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and an obvious on-field upgrade over his predecessor, Baker Mayfield, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2018.

In the 2020 season, Mayfield helped the Browns go 11-5, earn their first playoff berth since 2002 and capture the team's only playoff win since Jan. 1, 1995.

Yet the franchise's decision makers became convinced amid last season's 8-9 disappointment that Mayfield isn't a Super Bowl-caliber quarterback. To achieve their ultimate goal, the Browns believed they needed more talent at the game's most important position, especially in the stacked AFC. On March 25, General Manager Andrew Berry called the research the Browns conducted on Watson "a five-month odyssey."

After months of trying to negotiate a deal, the Browns traded Mayfield to the Panthers on July 6. It opens the door to the possibility of Cleveland facing Mayfield in the regular-season opener on Sept. 11, when the Browns play the Panthers in Charlotte.

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The Browns signed quarterback Jacoby Brissett to start in Watson's absence. Josh Dobbs, signed in April, and Josh Rosen, signed July 22, round out the quarterback depth chart.

“If Deshaun is unavailable, Jacoby is the starter,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said last week.

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Watson hasn't played in a game since Jan. 3, 2021, the Texans' 2020 regular-season finale. As long as the six-game suspension stands, he's on track for a 23-game layoff.

Watson, 26, had requested a trade from Houston in January 2021, about two months before the first lawsuit against him had been filed. He refused to play for the Texans throughout last season despite signing a four-year, $156 million contact extension with them in September 2020. The Texans drafted Watson 12th overall in 2017 with a pick the Browns had traded them.

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Coming off a record of 4-12 during the 2020 season, Watson had reportedly grown frustrated with Texans brass partly because he didn't feel he had been properly involved when it hired GM Nick Caserio.

When Watson was asked March 25 why he had requested a trade from the Texans, he said, “The biggest thing was, I think at the time, we just both were going in different directions.”

Now Watson is with his new team, but the wait for him to play again has been extended.

On the legal side: Deshaun Watson attorney Rusty Hardin has defended famous clients before

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @CEasterlingABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson suspended six games