Cleveland Browns Qb Deshaun Watson Suspended 11 Games Fined 5 Million

Comment Under an agreement reached between the NFL and the NFL Players Association, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season and fined $5 million for violating the league’s personal conduct policy based on allegations of sexual harassment. The agreement announced Thursday ends the disciplinary process, preempting a decision by a lawyer appointed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to resolve the league’s appeal of Watson’s original suspension. Sue L. Robinson, a former U.S. district judge who is the disciplinary official appointed jointly by the league and the NFLPA, initially imposed the six-game suspension on Aug. 1. “I’m moving on with my career, my life, and I’m going to continue to maintain my innocence,” Watson said at a news conference at the Browns’ training facility. “Just because settlements and things like that happen, it doesn’t mean a person is guilty of anything.” Watson’s suspension is without pay, costing him $632,500 of his $1.035 million base salary for this season. He signed a five-year contract worth $230 million guaranteed with the Browns when they completed a trade with the Houston Texans this March. The settlement also requires Watson to undergo a professional evaluation and treatment plan. The NFL and the Browns will each add $1 million to Watson’s $5 million fine, and $7 million will be used to support organizations that work to prevent sexual misconduct and sexual assault. According to a person familiar with the NFL’s view, the league withdrew its insistence on a full-season suspension and agreed to the settlement because that decision was “significant, final, immediate and final.” The NFL emphasized the remedy portion of the settlement. “Deshaun is committed to doing the hard work on himself necessary to return to the NFL,” Goodell said in a statement Thursday. “This settlement requires compliance with a professional evaluation and treatment plan, a substantial fine and a more substantial suspension.” Watson publicly apologized in a televised interview last Friday before playing in the Browns’ opening preseason game in Jacksonville, Florida. But at Thursday’s press conference after the settlement was announced, he said he had “always insisted on not disrespecting or sexually assaulting anyone.” Asked why he had apologized if he maintains he did nothing wrong, Watson said: “For everyone affected by the situation. There were a lot of people who were fired up.” Watson said he “can’t speak to the fairness” of discipline at the settlement, adding that he had an opinion but would keep it to himself. His agent, David Mulugheta, tweeted that Watson “has always maintained that he is innocent of sexual assault. Nothing has changed in what he said.” Watson “also said he was remorseful,” Mulugheta wrote. Deshaun has always maintained that he is innocent of sexual assault. He didn’t change anything in what he said. He also said he regrets the decisions he made that have created this situation. The settlement allows him to move forward in his life and career. — David Mulugheta (@DavidMulugheta) August 18, 2022 Thursday’s settlement comes nearly two months after Robinson held a three-day hearing. It then considered a post-hearing brief from each side, and earlier this month, ruled that Watson violated the conduct policy and that the NFL proved its case on all three points it raised, including that Watson committed sexual assault (as defined by the league as unwanted sexual contact with another person). Robinson also ruled that Watson, the league argued, violated the policy by engaging in conduct that posed an actual risk to the safety and well-being of another person and undermined or endangered the integrity of the NFL. He called Watson’s behavior “predatory” and “destructive.” But Robinson also wrote that Watson’s sexual assault was nonviolent. He was bound, he said, by the length of the suspension from the NFL’s previous discipline for a nonviolent sexual assault. Under a revised version of the personal conduct policy enacted by the 2020 collective bargaining agreement, both the league and the union could have appealed Robinson’s decision to Goodell or a designee. The NFLPA and Watson announced the night before Robinson’s decision was handed down that they would abide by her decision, urging the league to do the same. Instead, the NFL exercised its right to appeal on Aug. 3, and Goodell selected Peter C. Harvey, the former New Jersey attorney general, to hear the case. Each side submitted a brief, and Harvey should have made his decision without additional testimony or evidence beyond what was available to Robinson. The league asked for an indefinite suspension of at least one full season, a fine and treatment in its appeal, according to a person familiar with the situation. According to the CBA, a decision on the appeal would represent a “full, final and complete resolution of the dispute.” But if Harvey had decided to increase Watson’s suspension to a full season, that language might not have prevented Watson and the NFLPA from challenging the ruling in federal court, renewing courtroom battles between the league and association for player discipline. The union managed to delay but not overturn previous suspensions involving quarterback Tom Brady, then with the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott going to court. “We will support [Watson] in every way possible during his suspension and during a long career with the Cleveland Browns,” team owner Jimmy Haslam said at a news conference Thursday. Haslam said he was “absolutely, 100 percent” comfortable with Watson on the team and later added, “We think Deshaun Watson deserves a second chance.” Asked if the Browns would continue to trade for Watson that they did in March, General Manager Andrew Berry said: “Yes, we would. … We think Deshaun has strong upside.” Haslam’s wife, Browns co-owner Dee Haslam, said the team has “tremendous empathy for the women involved.” When pressed about the discrepancy between Watson’s portrayals of remorse and his renewed statements that he had done nothing wrong, he said: “Counseling takes time. … He’s making progress, but it’s not going to happen overnight.” More than two dozen women have filed civil lawsuits against Watson based on his behavior at massage therapy sessions. Of the 25 lawsuits filed, Watson has reached settlement agreements with 23 of the women, according to their attorney, Anthony Buzbee. One lawsuit was withdrawn and one remains pending. Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games by the disciplinary officer Buzbee also announced 30-woman deals with the Texans. A woman had filed a lawsuit accusing Watson’s former team of enabling his alleged behavior. Watson has not been charged with a crime. The personal conduct policy allows a player to be disciplined without criminal charges. Last season, the Texans placed Watson on the game day inactive list on a weekly basis and he did not play in any games. He was not suspended and was paid his full $10.5 million salary. Watson’s suspension officially begins on August 30. He can return to the Browns facility on October 10th and can resume practice on November 14th. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson will not play in either of the Browns’ two remaining preseason games, reiterating that backup Jacoby Brissett will be the starter throughout Watson’s absence. Watson’s suspension leaves him eligible to play for the Browns beginning with a Dec. 4 game at Houston. “I’ve got to do what’s best for Deshaun Watson, at the end of the day,” Watson said Thursday. “And I know what happened. I have been in these situations. But I have to keep going and keep going.”

title: “Cleveland Browns Qb Deshaun Watson Suspended 11 Games Fined 5 Million Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-13” author: “Terrence Rosenau”

Comment Under an agreement reached between the NFL and the NFL Players Association, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season and fined $5 million for violating the league’s personal conduct policy based on allegations of sexual harassment. The agreement announced Thursday ends the disciplinary process, preempting a decision by a lawyer appointed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to resolve the league’s appeal of Watson’s original suspension. Sue L. Robinson, a former U.S. district judge who is the disciplinary official appointed jointly by the league and the NFLPA, initially imposed the six-game suspension on Aug. 1. “I’m moving on with my career, my life, and I’m going to continue to maintain my innocence,” Watson said at a news conference at the Browns’ training facility. “Just because settlements and things like that happen, it doesn’t mean a person is guilty of anything.” Watson’s suspension is without pay, costing him $632,500 of his $1.035 million base salary for this season. He signed a five-year contract worth $230 million guaranteed with the Browns when they completed a trade with the Houston Texans this March. The settlement also requires Watson to undergo a professional evaluation and treatment plan. The NFL and the Browns will each add $1 million to Watson’s $5 million fine, and $7 million will be used to support organizations that work to prevent sexual misconduct and sexual assault. According to a person familiar with the NFL’s view, the league withdrew its insistence on a full-season suspension and agreed to the settlement because that decision was “significant, final, immediate and final.” The NFL emphasized the remedy portion of the settlement. “Deshaun is committed to doing the hard work on himself necessary to return to the NFL,” Goodell said in a statement Thursday. “This settlement requires compliance with a professional evaluation and treatment plan, a substantial fine and a more substantial suspension.” Watson publicly apologized in a televised interview last Friday before playing in the Browns’ opening preseason game in Jacksonville, Florida. But at Thursday’s press conference after the settlement was announced, he said he had “always insisted on not disrespecting or sexually assaulting anyone.” Asked why he had apologized if he maintains he did nothing wrong, Watson said: “For everyone affected by the situation. There were a lot of people who were fired up.” Watson said he “can’t speak to the fairness” of discipline at the settlement, adding that he had an opinion but would keep it to himself. His agent, David Mulugheta, tweeted that Watson “has always maintained that he is innocent of sexual assault. Nothing has changed in what he said.” Watson “also said he was remorseful,” Mulugheta wrote. Deshaun has always maintained that he is innocent of sexual assault. He didn’t change anything in what he said. He also said he regrets the decisions he made that have created this situation. The settlement allows him to move forward in his life and career. — David Mulugheta (@DavidMulugheta) August 18, 2022 Thursday’s settlement comes nearly two months after Robinson held a three-day hearing. It then considered a post-hearing brief from each side, and earlier this month, ruled that Watson violated the conduct policy and that the NFL proved its case on all three points it raised, including that Watson committed sexual assault (as defined by the league as unwanted sexual contact with another person). Robinson also ruled that Watson, the league argued, violated the policy by engaging in conduct that posed an actual risk to the safety and well-being of another person and undermined or endangered the integrity of the NFL. He called Watson’s behavior “predatory” and “destructive.” But Robinson also wrote that Watson’s sexual assault was nonviolent. He was bound, he said, by the length of the suspension from the NFL’s previous discipline for a nonviolent sexual assault. Under a revised version of the personal conduct policy enacted by the 2020 collective bargaining agreement, both the league and the union could have appealed Robinson’s decision to Goodell or a designee. The NFLPA and Watson announced the night before Robinson’s decision was handed down that they would abide by her decision, urging the league to do the same. Instead, the NFL exercised its right to appeal on Aug. 3, and Goodell selected Peter C. Harvey, the former New Jersey attorney general, to hear the case. Each side submitted a brief, and Harvey should have made his decision without additional testimony or evidence beyond what was available to Robinson. The league asked for an indefinite suspension of at least one full season, a fine and treatment in its appeal, according to a person familiar with the situation. According to the CBA, a decision on the appeal would represent a “full, final and complete resolution of the dispute.” But if Harvey had decided to increase Watson’s suspension to a full season, that language might not have prevented Watson and the NFLPA from challenging the ruling in federal court, renewing courtroom battles between the league and association for player discipline. The union managed to delay but not overturn previous suspensions involving quarterback Tom Brady, then with the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott going to court. “We will support [Watson] in every way possible during his suspension and during a long career with the Cleveland Browns,” team owner Jimmy Haslam said at a news conference Thursday. Haslam said he was “absolutely, 100 percent” comfortable with Watson on the team and later added, “We think Deshaun Watson deserves a second chance.” Asked if the Browns would continue to trade for Watson that they did in March, General Manager Andrew Berry said: “Yes, we would. … We think Deshaun has strong upside.” Haslam’s wife, Browns co-owner Dee Haslam, said the team has “tremendous empathy for the women involved.” When pressed about the discrepancy between Watson’s portrayals of remorse and his renewed statements that he had done nothing wrong, he said: “Counseling takes time. … He’s making progress, but it’s not going to happen overnight.” More than two dozen women have filed civil lawsuits against Watson based on his behavior at massage therapy sessions. Of the 25 lawsuits filed, Watson has reached settlement agreements with 23 of the women, according to their attorney, Anthony Buzbee. One lawsuit was withdrawn and one remains pending. Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games by the disciplinary officer Buzbee also announced 30-woman deals with the Texans. A woman had filed a lawsuit accusing Watson’s former team of enabling his alleged behavior. Watson has not been charged with a crime. The personal conduct policy allows a player to be disciplined without criminal charges. Last season, the Texans placed Watson on the game day inactive list on a weekly basis and he did not play in any games. He was not suspended and was paid his full $10.5 million salary. Watson’s suspension officially begins on August 30. He can return to the Browns facility on October 10th and can resume practice on November 14th. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson will not play in either of the Browns’ two remaining preseason games, reiterating that backup Jacoby Brissett will be the starter throughout Watson’s absence. Watson’s suspension leaves him eligible to play for the Browns beginning with a Dec. 4 game at Houston. “I’ve got to do what’s best for Deshaun Watson, at the end of the day,” Watson said Thursday. “And I know what happened. I have been in these situations. But I have to keep going and keep going.”

title: “Cleveland Browns Qb Deshaun Watson Suspended 11 Games Fined 5 Million Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-25” author: “Sarah Dews”

Comment Under an agreement reached between the NFL and the NFL Players Association, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season and fined $5 million for violating the league’s personal conduct policy based on allegations of sexual harassment. The agreement announced Thursday ends the disciplinary process, preempting a decision by a lawyer appointed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to resolve the league’s appeal of Watson’s original suspension. Sue L. Robinson, a former U.S. district judge who is the disciplinary official appointed jointly by the league and the NFLPA, initially imposed the six-game suspension on Aug. 1. “I’m moving on with my career, my life, and I’m going to continue to maintain my innocence,” Watson said at a news conference at the Browns’ training facility. “Just because settlements and things like that happen, it doesn’t mean a person is guilty of anything.” Watson’s suspension is without pay, costing him $632,500 of his $1.035 million base salary for this season. He signed a five-year contract worth $230 million guaranteed with the Browns when they completed a trade with the Houston Texans this March. The settlement also requires Watson to undergo a professional evaluation and treatment plan. The NFL and the Browns will each add $1 million to Watson’s $5 million fine, and $7 million will be used to support organizations that work to prevent sexual misconduct and sexual assault. According to a person familiar with the NFL’s view, the league withdrew its insistence on a full-season suspension and agreed to the settlement because that decision was “significant, final, immediate and final.” The NFL emphasized the remedy portion of the settlement. “Deshaun is committed to doing the hard work on himself necessary to return to the NFL,” Goodell said in a statement Thursday. “This settlement requires compliance with a professional evaluation and treatment plan, a substantial fine and a more substantial suspension.” Watson publicly apologized in a televised interview last Friday before playing in the Browns’ opening preseason game in Jacksonville, Florida. But at Thursday’s press conference after the settlement was announced, he said he had “always insisted on not disrespecting or sexually assaulting anyone.” Asked why he had apologized if he maintains he did nothing wrong, Watson said: “For everyone affected by the situation. There were a lot of people who were fired up.” Watson said he “can’t speak to the fairness” of discipline at the settlement, adding that he had an opinion but would keep it to himself. His agent, David Mulugheta, tweeted that Watson “has always maintained that he is innocent of sexual assault. Nothing has changed in what he said.” Watson “also said he was remorseful,” Mulugheta wrote. Deshaun has always maintained that he is innocent of sexual assault. He didn’t change anything in what he said. He also said he regrets the decisions he made that have created this situation. The settlement allows him to move forward in his life and career. — David Mulugheta (@DavidMulugheta) August 18, 2022 Thursday’s settlement comes nearly two months after Robinson held a three-day hearing. It then considered a post-hearing brief from each side, and earlier this month, ruled that Watson violated the conduct policy and that the NFL proved its case on all three points it raised, including that Watson committed sexual assault (as defined by the league as unwanted sexual contact with another person). Robinson also ruled that Watson, the league argued, violated the policy by engaging in conduct that posed an actual risk to the safety and well-being of another person and undermined or endangered the integrity of the NFL. He called Watson’s behavior “predatory” and “destructive.” But Robinson also wrote that Watson’s sexual assault was nonviolent. He was bound, he said, by the length of the suspension from the NFL’s previous discipline for a nonviolent sexual assault. Under a revised version of the personal conduct policy enacted by the 2020 collective bargaining agreement, both the league and the union could have appealed Robinson’s decision to Goodell or a designee. The NFLPA and Watson announced the night before Robinson’s decision was handed down that they would abide by her decision, urging the league to do the same. Instead, the NFL exercised its right to appeal on Aug. 3, and Goodell selected Peter C. Harvey, the former New Jersey attorney general, to hear the case. Each side submitted a brief, and Harvey should have made his decision without additional testimony or evidence beyond what was available to Robinson. The league asked for an indefinite suspension of at least one full season, a fine and treatment in its appeal, according to a person familiar with the situation. According to the CBA, a decision on the appeal would represent a “full, final and complete resolution of the dispute.” But if Harvey had decided to increase Watson’s suspension to a full season, that language might not have prevented Watson and the NFLPA from challenging the ruling in federal court, renewing courtroom battles between the league and association for player discipline. The union managed to delay but not overturn previous suspensions involving quarterback Tom Brady, then with the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott going to court. “We will support [Watson] in every way possible during his suspension and during a long career with the Cleveland Browns,” team owner Jimmy Haslam said at a news conference Thursday. Haslam said he was “absolutely, 100 percent” comfortable with Watson on the team and later added, “We think Deshaun Watson deserves a second chance.” Asked if the Browns would continue to trade for Watson that they did in March, General Manager Andrew Berry said: “Yes, we would. … We think Deshaun has strong upside.” Haslam’s wife, Browns co-owner Dee Haslam, said the team has “tremendous empathy for the women involved.” When pressed about the discrepancy between Watson’s portrayals of remorse and his renewed statements that he had done nothing wrong, he said: “Counseling takes time. … He’s making progress, but it’s not going to happen overnight.” More than two dozen women have filed civil lawsuits against Watson based on his behavior at massage therapy sessions. Of the 25 lawsuits filed, Watson has reached settlement agreements with 23 of the women, according to their attorney, Anthony Buzbee. One lawsuit was withdrawn and one remains pending. Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games by the disciplinary officer Buzbee also announced 30-woman deals with the Texans. A woman had filed a lawsuit accusing Watson’s former team of enabling his alleged behavior. Watson has not been charged with a crime. The personal conduct policy allows a player to be disciplined without criminal charges. Last season, the Texans placed Watson on the game day inactive list on a weekly basis and he did not play in any games. He was not suspended and was paid his full $10.5 million salary. Watson’s suspension officially begins on August 30. He can return to the Browns facility on October 10th and can resume practice on November 14th. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson will not play in either of the Browns’ two remaining preseason games, reiterating that backup Jacoby Brissett will be the starter throughout Watson’s absence. Watson’s suspension leaves him eligible to play for the Browns beginning with a Dec. 4 game at Houston. “I’ve got to do what’s best for Deshaun Watson, at the end of the day,” Watson said Thursday. “And I know what happened. I have been in these situations. But I have to keep going and keep going.”

title: “Cleveland Browns Qb Deshaun Watson Suspended 11 Games Fined 5 Million Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-15” author: “Charles Smith”

Comment Under an agreement reached between the NFL and the NFL Players Association, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season and fined $5 million for violating the league’s personal conduct policy based on allegations of sexual harassment. The agreement announced Thursday ends the disciplinary process, preempting a decision by a lawyer appointed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to resolve the league’s appeal of Watson’s original suspension. Sue L. Robinson, a former U.S. district judge who is the disciplinary official appointed jointly by the league and the NFLPA, initially imposed the six-game suspension on Aug. 1. “I’m moving on with my career, my life, and I’m going to continue to maintain my innocence,” Watson said at a news conference at the Browns’ training facility. “Just because settlements and things like that happen, it doesn’t mean a person is guilty of anything.” Watson’s suspension is without pay, costing him $632,500 of his $1.035 million base salary for this season. He signed a five-year contract worth $230 million guaranteed with the Browns when they completed a trade with the Houston Texans this March. The settlement also requires Watson to undergo a professional evaluation and treatment plan. The NFL and the Browns will each add $1 million to Watson’s $5 million fine, and $7 million will be used to support organizations that work to prevent sexual misconduct and sexual assault. According to a person familiar with the NFL’s view, the league withdrew its insistence on a full-season suspension and agreed to the settlement because that decision was “significant, final, immediate and final.” The NFL emphasized the remedy portion of the settlement. “Deshaun is committed to doing the hard work on himself necessary to return to the NFL,” Goodell said in a statement Thursday. “This settlement requires compliance with a professional evaluation and treatment plan, a substantial fine and a more substantial suspension.” Watson publicly apologized in a televised interview last Friday before playing in the Browns’ opening preseason game in Jacksonville, Florida. But at Thursday’s press conference after the settlement was announced, he said he had “always insisted on not disrespecting or sexually assaulting anyone.” Asked why he had apologized if he maintains he did nothing wrong, Watson said: “For everyone affected by the situation. There were a lot of people who were fired up.” Watson said he “can’t speak to the fairness” of discipline at the settlement, adding that he had an opinion but would keep it to himself. His agent, David Mulugheta, tweeted that Watson “has always maintained that he is innocent of sexual assault. Nothing has changed in what he said.” Watson “also said he was remorseful,” Mulugheta wrote. Deshaun has always maintained that he is innocent of sexual assault. He didn’t change anything in what he said. He also said he regrets the decisions he made that have created this situation. The settlement allows him to move forward in his life and career. — David Mulugheta (@DavidMulugheta) August 18, 2022 Thursday’s settlement comes nearly two months after Robinson held a three-day hearing. It then considered a post-hearing brief from each side, and earlier this month, ruled that Watson violated the conduct policy and that the NFL proved its case on all three points it raised, including that Watson committed sexual assault (as defined by the league as unwanted sexual contact with another person). Robinson also ruled that Watson, the league argued, violated the policy by engaging in conduct that posed an actual risk to the safety and well-being of another person and undermined or endangered the integrity of the NFL. He called Watson’s behavior “predatory” and “destructive.” But Robinson also wrote that Watson’s sexual assault was nonviolent. He was bound, he said, by the length of the suspension from the NFL’s previous discipline for a nonviolent sexual assault. Under a revised version of the personal conduct policy enacted by the 2020 collective bargaining agreement, both the league and the union could have appealed Robinson’s decision to Goodell or a designee. The NFLPA and Watson announced the night before Robinson’s decision was handed down that they would abide by her decision, urging the league to do the same. Instead, the NFL exercised its right to appeal on Aug. 3, and Goodell selected Peter C. Harvey, the former New Jersey attorney general, to hear the case. Each side submitted a brief, and Harvey should have made his decision without additional testimony or evidence beyond what was available to Robinson. The league asked for an indefinite suspension of at least one full season, a fine and treatment in its appeal, according to a person familiar with the situation. According to the CBA, a decision on the appeal would represent a “full, final and complete resolution of the dispute.” But if Harvey had decided to increase Watson’s suspension to a full season, that language might not have prevented Watson and the NFLPA from challenging the ruling in federal court, renewing courtroom battles between the league and association for player discipline. The union managed to delay but not overturn previous suspensions involving quarterback Tom Brady, then with the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott going to court. “We will support [Watson] in every way possible during his suspension and during a long career with the Cleveland Browns,” team owner Jimmy Haslam said at a news conference Thursday. Haslam said he was “absolutely, 100 percent” comfortable with Watson on the team and later added, “We think Deshaun Watson deserves a second chance.” Asked if the Browns would continue to trade for Watson that they did in March, General Manager Andrew Berry said: “Yes, we would. … We think Deshaun has strong upside.” Haslam’s wife, Browns co-owner Dee Haslam, said the team has “tremendous empathy for the women involved.” When pressed about the discrepancy between Watson’s portrayals of remorse and his renewed statements that he had done nothing wrong, he said: “Counseling takes time. … He’s making progress, but it’s not going to happen overnight.” More than two dozen women have filed civil lawsuits against Watson based on his behavior at massage therapy sessions. Of the 25 lawsuits filed, Watson has reached settlement agreements with 23 of the women, according to their attorney, Anthony Buzbee. One lawsuit was withdrawn and one remains pending. Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games by the disciplinary officer Buzbee also announced 30-woman deals with the Texans. A woman had filed a lawsuit accusing Watson’s former team of enabling his alleged behavior. Watson has not been charged with a crime. The personal conduct policy allows a player to be disciplined without criminal charges. Last season, the Texans placed Watson on the game day inactive list on a weekly basis and he did not play in any games. He was not suspended and was paid his full $10.5 million salary. Watson’s suspension officially begins on August 30. He can return to the Browns facility on October 10th and can resume practice on November 14th. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson will not play in either of the Browns’ two remaining preseason games, reiterating that backup Jacoby Brissett will be the starter throughout Watson’s absence. Watson’s suspension leaves him eligible to play for the Browns beginning with a Dec. 4 game at Houston. “I’ve got to do what’s best for Deshaun Watson, at the end of the day,” Watson said Thursday. “And I know what happened. I have been in these situations. But I have to keep going and keep going.”

title: “Cleveland Browns Qb Deshaun Watson Suspended 11 Games Fined 5 Million Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-30” author: “Christopher Reese”

Comment Under an agreement reached between the NFL and the NFL Players Association, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been suspended for the first 11 games of the 2022 season and fined $5 million for violating the league’s personal conduct policy based on allegations of sexual harassment. The agreement announced Thursday ends the disciplinary process, preempting a decision by a lawyer appointed by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to resolve the league’s appeal of Watson’s original suspension. Sue L. Robinson, a former U.S. district judge who is the disciplinary official appointed jointly by the league and the NFLPA, initially imposed the six-game suspension on Aug. 1. “I’m moving on with my career, my life, and I’m going to continue to maintain my innocence,” Watson said at a news conference at the Browns’ training facility. “Just because settlements and things like that happen, it doesn’t mean a person is guilty of anything.” Watson’s suspension is without pay, costing him $632,500 of his $1.035 million base salary for this season. He signed a five-year contract worth $230 million guaranteed with the Browns when they completed a trade with the Houston Texans this March. The settlement also requires Watson to undergo a professional evaluation and treatment plan. The NFL and the Browns will each add $1 million to Watson’s $5 million fine, and $7 million will be used to support organizations that work to prevent sexual misconduct and sexual assault. According to a person familiar with the NFL’s view, the league withdrew its insistence on a full-season suspension and agreed to the settlement because that decision was “significant, final, immediate and final.” The NFL emphasized the remedy portion of the settlement. “Deshaun is committed to doing the hard work on himself necessary to return to the NFL,” Goodell said in a statement Thursday. “This settlement requires compliance with a professional evaluation and treatment plan, a substantial fine and a more substantial suspension.” Watson publicly apologized in a televised interview last Friday before playing in the Browns’ opening preseason game in Jacksonville, Florida. But at Thursday’s press conference after the settlement was announced, he said he had “always insisted on not disrespecting or sexually assaulting anyone.” Asked why he had apologized if he maintains he did nothing wrong, Watson said: “For everyone affected by the situation. There were a lot of people who were fired up.” Watson said he “can’t speak to the fairness” of discipline at the settlement, adding that he had an opinion but would keep it to himself. His agent, David Mulugheta, tweeted that Watson “has always maintained that he is innocent of sexual assault. Nothing has changed in what he said.” Watson “also said he was remorseful,” Mulugheta wrote. Deshaun has always maintained that he is innocent of sexual assault. He didn’t change anything in what he said. He also said he regrets the decisions he made that have created this situation. The settlement allows him to move forward in his life and career. — David Mulugheta (@DavidMulugheta) August 18, 2022 Thursday’s settlement comes nearly two months after Robinson held a three-day hearing. It then considered a post-hearing brief from each side, and earlier this month, ruled that Watson violated the conduct policy and that the NFL proved its case on all three points it raised, including that Watson committed sexual assault (as defined by the league as unwanted sexual contact with another person). Robinson also ruled that Watson, the league argued, violated the policy by engaging in conduct that posed an actual risk to the safety and well-being of another person and undermined or endangered the integrity of the NFL. He called Watson’s behavior “predatory” and “destructive.” But Robinson also wrote that Watson’s sexual assault was nonviolent. He was bound, he said, by the length of the suspension from the NFL’s previous discipline for a nonviolent sexual assault. Under a revised version of the personal conduct policy enacted by the 2020 collective bargaining agreement, both the league and the union could have appealed Robinson’s decision to Goodell or a designee. The NFLPA and Watson announced the night before Robinson’s decision was handed down that they would abide by her decision, urging the league to do the same. Instead, the NFL exercised its right to appeal on Aug. 3, and Goodell selected Peter C. Harvey, the former New Jersey attorney general, to hear the case. Each side submitted a brief, and Harvey should have made his decision without additional testimony or evidence beyond what was available to Robinson. The league asked for an indefinite suspension of at least one full season, a fine and treatment in its appeal, according to a person familiar with the situation. According to the CBA, a decision on the appeal would represent a “full, final and complete resolution of the dispute.” But if Harvey had decided to increase Watson’s suspension to a full season, that language might not have prevented Watson and the NFLPA from challenging the ruling in federal court, renewing courtroom battles between the league and association for player discipline. The union managed to delay but not overturn previous suspensions involving quarterback Tom Brady, then with the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott going to court. “We will support [Watson] in every way possible during his suspension and during a long career with the Cleveland Browns,” team owner Jimmy Haslam said at a news conference Thursday. Haslam said he was “absolutely, 100 percent” comfortable with Watson on the team and later added, “We think Deshaun Watson deserves a second chance.” Asked if the Browns would continue to trade for Watson that they did in March, General Manager Andrew Berry said: “Yes, we would. … We think Deshaun has strong upside.” Haslam’s wife, Browns co-owner Dee Haslam, said the team has “tremendous empathy for the women involved.” When pressed about the discrepancy between Watson’s portrayals of remorse and his renewed statements that he had done nothing wrong, he said: “Counseling takes time. … He’s making progress, but it’s not going to happen overnight.” More than two dozen women have filed civil lawsuits against Watson based on his behavior at massage therapy sessions. Of the 25 lawsuits filed, Watson has reached settlement agreements with 23 of the women, according to their attorney, Anthony Buzbee. One lawsuit was withdrawn and one remains pending. Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games by the disciplinary officer Buzbee also announced 30-woman deals with the Texans. A woman had filed a lawsuit accusing Watson’s former team of enabling his alleged behavior. Watson has not been charged with a crime. The personal conduct policy allows a player to be disciplined without criminal charges. Last season, the Texans placed Watson on the game day inactive list on a weekly basis and he did not play in any games. He was not suspended and was paid his full $10.5 million salary. Watson’s suspension officially begins on August 30. He can return to the Browns facility on October 10th and can resume practice on November 14th. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Watson will not play in either of the Browns’ two remaining preseason games, reiterating that backup Jacoby Brissett will be the starter throughout Watson’s absence. Watson’s suspension leaves him eligible to play for the Browns beginning with a Dec. 4 game at Houston. “I’ve got to do what’s best for Deshaun Watson, at the end of the day,” Watson said Thursday. “And I know what happened. I have been in these situations. But I have to keep going and keep going.”