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The NFL will argue that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson should receive a “major” suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, several people familiar with the case said Friday.
The league will “probably” look for a full-season suspension for Watson, a Watson supporter said on Friday. A person familiar with the league’s view on the case warned that they should be “careful” when specifying a precise duration at this point for the suspension that the NFL will seek. But that person also said, “Significant would be the right term.”
Watson faces 24 active civil lawsuits against women who accuse him of sexual misconduct. Complaints include making inappropriate comments, exposing yourself and forcing your penis into the hands of women during massage sessions. Watson and his attorney, Rusty Hardin, have denied the allegations. Two grand jurors in Texas refused to charge Watson with a felony. The NFL is preparing to present the findings of its investigation to Sue L. Robinson, the former U.S. District Judge who is the disciplinary officer jointly appointed by the league and the NFL Players Association. the current version of the conduct policy.
The league expects the entire disciplinary process, including the resolution of any possible appeal to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell or a person designated by him, to be completed before the start of the training camp, said one person with knowledge of the matter. The Browns are scheduled to open the training camp on July 27th.
Deshaun Watson faces the 24th lawsuit accusing him of sexual misconduct
“Like I said, I never assaulted anyone or harassed anyone or disrespected anyone,” Watson told a news conference at a Browns low-season practice Tuesday. “I never forced anyone to do anything.”
Under a process that was reviewed in the last collective bargaining agreement between the league and the NFLPA completed in 2020, the initial decision on a possible suspension or fine will be made by Robinson, now a lawyer in Wilmington, Del. , after retiring from the bench in 2017.
The case would end without any possible appeals if Robinson ruled that there was no violation of the personal conduct policy. If she finds that there was a violation of the policy and imposes a penalty, either party could turn to Goodell. The NFLPA pushed for a review of ABC’s personal conduct policy following the clashes, some of which were dumped in courtrooms following a lawsuit filed by the union and the players, in previous disciplinary cases. Previously, Goodell was in charge of making both the initial sanctioning sentence and resolving the appeals.
It is unclear whether Robinson will hold a quasi-trial before making his decision. This week he declined to comment, referring to questions from the league and the union.
The NFL investigation was conducted by Lisa Friel, the former head of the sex crime prosecution unit at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, which is the league’s special counsel for the investigation. .
Friel interviewed at least 11 of the women who accused Watson of being represented by attorney Tony Buzbee, according to a person familiar with the investigation, along with other women. He reviewed the relevant documents available. NFL representatives interviewed Watson for several days in Houston.
“I can’t control that,” Watson said this week about the NFL’s disciplinary process. “I met with the NFL a couple of weeks ago and did everything they asked me to do. I really answered every question the NFL asked me. I spent hours with people who were dropped. And that “All I can do is be honest and tell them exactly what happened. I know they have a job, so I have to respect it. And that’s what we wanted to do is cooperate. And they have to make a decision.” [that’s] the best for the league “.
The NFL’s investigation into Deshaun Watson is almost complete, says Roger Goodell
Hardin confirmed that he is involved in Watson’s representation in the NFL process along with the union, but declined further comment on the league’s proceedings.
The league has made a presentation of the case to NFLPA and Watson representatives, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. This led Watson’s side to conclude that the NFL would seek a substantial sanction.
It is unclear whether Major League Baseball’s two-season suspension of pitcher Trevor Bauer under his domestic violence policy will set a precedent for Watson’s proposed suspension from the NFL, another acquaintance said. with the opinion of the league in recent weeks. But the NFL is aware that the length of Bauer’s suspension could affect public expectations and reaction in the Watson case, the person said.
NFLPA attorney Jeffrey Kessler has been involved in the case. An acquaintance with the NFL’s opinion said the league is suspicious that Kessler should not take any disciplinary action.
Kessler declined to comment Friday, referring to questions in the NFLPA. The NFLPA could cite the lack of criminal charges, although NFL policy allows for discipline without such charges.
Watson’s defense of the NFLPA will raise the issue that owners Daniel Snyder of the Washington Commanders, Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots and Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys were not suspended by the league for incidents involving them and their teams. This was confirmed by a person with knowledge of the case after being first reported by Pro Football Talk.
The league “ideally” would like the entire process, including the resolution of any appeal, to be completed before the start of the training camp, said a person familiar with the NFL’s opinion, and added the Disclaimer that the approach taken by Kessler and the NFLPA could delay proceedings.
This first case that is resolved with the new disciplinary system is a matter of great relevance. A person on Watson’s side wondered if Goodell might be reluctant to overturn the neutral referee’s disciplinary decision in the first case.
The league and the NFLPA could reach an agreement at some point to prevent any further appeals or legal action by Watson.
The Browns completed a trade with the Houston Texans for Watson this offseason and signed him with a new contract worth $ 230 million guaranteed for five seasons. Watson did not play last season, being placed on the Texans’ inactive roster on a weekly basis.
Any suspension would be unpaid, according to Watson’s $ 1.035 million salary for the 2022 season. The NFL could seek a fine, in addition to any salary lost by Watson. The league could also stipulate that additional discipline could be imposed if new information appears.