NFL disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson is predicted to subject a call Monday on whether or not Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson violated the league’s private conduct coverage following accusations of sexual misconduct, sources confirmed to ESPN.
If Robinson, who was collectively appointed by the league and gamers’ union, imposes any punishment, both aspect can have three days to submit an attraction in writing. In that case, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell or his designee “will subject a written choice that may represent full, ultimate and full disposition of the dispute,” per phrases of Article 46 within the collective bargaining settlement.
The NFLPA already made it clear it will not attraction in a press release Sunday evening.
“Upfront of Choose Robinson’s choice, we needed to reiterate the info of this continuing,” the union stated in a press release. “First, we have now totally cooperated with each NFL inquiry and offered the NFL with probably the most complete set of knowledge for any private conduct coverage investigation. A former Federal Choose — appointed collectively by the NFLPA and NFL — held a full and truthful listening to, has learn hundreds of pages of investigative paperwork and reviewed arguments from either side impartially. Each participant, proprietor, enterprise accomplice and stakeholder deserves to know that our course of is respectable and won’t be tarnished based mostly on the whims of the League workplace. That is why, no matter her choice, Deshaun and the NFLPA will stand by her ruling and we name on the NFL to do the identical.”
Robinson heard arguments from the league, union and Watson’s lawyer throughout a three-day listening to held in her residence state of Delaware in late June. The perimeters mentioned a possible settlement all the way in which up by the listening to, however couldn’t comply with a deal.
The league and Watson’s aspect did interact in additional settlement talks in latest days, sources advised ESPN’s Dan Graziano, however neither aspect ever felt they had been near an settlement. Probably the most Watson’s aspect indicated it was keen to supply was a suspension within the vary of six to eight video games, in line with sources. The very best the league indicated it was keen to supply was a 12-game suspension and a big wonderful — within the vary of $8 million, sources stated.
Watson has been accused of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct throughout therapeutic massage classes in civil lawsuits filed by 25 girls. The encounters cited within the lawsuits passed off between March 2020 and March 2021, whereas Watson was a member of the Houston Texans. One of many 25 lawsuits was dropped following a choose’s ruling in April 2021 that plaintiffs wanted to amend their petitions to reveal their names. In June, Watson settled 20 of the 24 lawsuits he was dealing with; the opposite 4 stay lively and are on monitor to go to trial subsequent yr.
Final month, the Texans reached settlements with 30 girls who made claims or had been ready to make claims in opposition to the group for its alleged position relating to the allegations in opposition to Watson.
Though two grand juries in Texas declined to pursue prison expenses in opposition to Watson earlier this yr, the NFL has been investigating whether or not he violated its private conduct coverage since final yr. The NFL interviewed Watson over a number of days earlier this summer season. The league’s investigators additionally spoke to a number of of the ladies.
Watson has regularly denied all wrongdoing and stated he has no regrets for any of his actions in the course of the therapeutic massage classes. Watson additionally stated he cooperated with the NFL’s investigation and “answered each query honestly” that he was requested by the league’s investigators.
The Browns traded for Watson in March, sending three first-round draft picks to the Texans. Cleveland then gave Watson a brand new five-year contract price $230 million totally assured, the richest deal in NFL historical past for any participant.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski stated final week that Jacoby Brissett would turn out to be Cleveland’s starter if Watson had been to be suspended. The Browns had Sunday off from coaching camp however are scheduled to renew observe Monday.
CBS Sports activities first reported that Robinson’s choice is predicted Monday.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and The Related Press contributed to this report.