(Berea) Deshaun Watson has reached an agreement with the NFL and will be suspended for the first 11 games of the season, in addition to paying a fine of 5 million US, rather than risk missing the whole of his first campaign as quarterback. Cleveland Browns due to sexual misconduct allegations.
Posted at 12:11 p.m.
Updated at 12:42 p.m.
Watson has been charged with sexual misconduct by 24 women while playing for the Houston Texans. The NFL wanted to suspend him for at least an entire season for violating its personal conduct policy.
“I am grateful that the discipline process has been completed and I greatly appreciate the support received during my short time with the Browns. Once again, I apologize for any harm this situation may have caused. I accept the consequences of the decisions I have made,” Watson said in a statement released by the Browns.
“I’m now focused on working to become the best version of myself on and off the pitch and to support my teammates in any way I can while I’m sidelined. »
According to the agreement, Watson will therefore be able to make a first start with the Browns on December 4, against the Texans, in Houston.
The decision comes days after Watson finally apologized for his actions for the first time.
“I want to say that I am sincerely sorry for all the women I have hurt in this situation,” Watson told reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala on the show. Browns Countdown. The decisions I made in my life that put me in this position I would definitely like to go back but I want to keep moving forward and growing and learning and showing that I’m a real person of character. »
Watson also promised to continue to receive psychological treatment for his behavior.
“I know I have a lot of work to do, especially on the pitch to make sure I’m ready to play when the time comes when I can get back on the pitch, but also the biggest thing is that I want continue to undergo treatments and I want to make sure that I grow as a person, as an individual for my decision-making on and off the field, he said. I want to make sure that I’m just growing in the community as much as possible, for the Cleveland community, for the NFL community and beyond. »
The star quarterback had been suspended for six games on the 1er last August by Sue L. Robinson, a former federal judge recently hired as an independent prefect of discipline by the league and players’ union.
Robinson had said the 26-year-old Watson breached the league’s code of conduct after investigating his actions and calling his behavior “outrageous” and “predatory”.
Believing the sentence too lenient, the league had requested an appeal, placing the case in the hands of commissioner Roger Goodell, who was previously in charge of player sanctions. The league had previously requested an indefinite suspension and a stiff fine.
Goodell had appointed former attorney Peter C. Harvey to hear the appeal. The latter had previously been implicated in the decision to suspend Dallas Cowboys running back Ezequiel Elliott for six games during the 2017 season due to domestic violence allegations.
According to the collective agreement signed in 2020, Harvey’s decision would have been considered “complete and final”.
At a meeting with the owners earlier in August, Goodell said the league’s request for a one-season suspension was justified because of Robinson’s investigation and findings.
In his conclusion, Robinson cited Watson’s lack of remorse as the reason for his decision. Watson first apologized to “every woman I impacted” before her first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Watson was accused of engaging in sexually inappropriate behavior with women during massage therapy sessions in Texas between March 2020 and March 2021. In a civil lawsuit filed in Texas, the women accused Watson of exposing themselves, touched with his penis or kissed against their will. A woman has claimed that Watson forced her to give him oral sex.
Two Texas grand juries declined to indict Watson, who denied any improper conduct. He recently settled 23 of 24 lawsuits out of court.
For now, the suspension ends months of speculation regarding Watson’s status for the 2022 season. The Browns acquired Watson from the Texans in March for three first-round picks. They then awarded a five-year, $230 million contract to the star quarterback.
Watson will be able to stay with the team until the Browns’ final roster is named on Aug. 30. In his absence, Jacoby Brissett will act as the starting quarterback.