WATSON SUSPENDED FOR NFL SEASON’S OPENING SIX GAMES

NFL / Football

Written by Joel Lefevre

Source (Background Photo): Getty Images

The Cleveland Browns will be without their big offseason acquisition for the opening six games of the season.

On Monday, Deshaun Watson was handed a six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after accusations of sexual misconduct were made against the 2020 NFL passing yards leader.

The three-time Pro Bowler was traded to Cleveland along with a sixth-round pick in 2024, in exchange for six draft choices, while Watson signed a five-year deal with the Browns for $230 million, the biggest contract and most guaranteed money in NFL history.

Recently Watson settled 23 of the 24 lawsuits filed against him by massage therapists who have alleged sexual harassment and assault during appointments with the former Houston Texans pivot in 2020 and 2021.

While awaiting the ruling Watson had been at training camp with his new team, taking most of the reps with the first-team offence.

For the moment that responsibility will rest on the shoulders of Jacoby Brissett.

The NFL was pushing for an indefinite suspension of at least one year, along with a $5 million fine for the 26-year-old during a three-day hearing held in June.

Following the ruling the NFL Players Association issued a statement saying they will not appeal disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson’s ruling, urging the league to follow suit.

If either side were to appeal, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell or someone he designates will make the decision, per terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

This was the first case for Robinson, who was a former U.S. district judge, jointly appointed by the NFL and the union to handle player misconduct.

Watson’s career has been in limbo after sitting out all of last season when allegations of inappropriate conduct in a massage therapy session surfaced.

In their lawsuits, the women accused Watson of numerous acts including exposing himself and kissing them against their will, with one woman alleging that the Browns QB forced her to perform oral sex.

Watson has denied all wrongdoing, insisting that his sexual activity with three of the women was consensual.