The Deshaun Watson decision

The NFL will suspend Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson for six games over allegations of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions, a neutral arbitrator announced yesterday.

⚖️ Background: Since March 2021, 25 different women have filed civil lawsuits against Watson accusing him of inappropriate behavior during massage sessions, including some instances of sexual assault. One lawsuit was later dropped and 23 others were settled out of court, including three yesterday morning.

• Watson has maintained his innocence throughout. He hasn’t been officially charged with a crime, after two separate Texas grand juries declined to do so earlier this year.
• In March, the Cleveland Browns traded for Watson from the Houston Texans and signed him to a five-year, $230 million contract (fully guaranteed) after the first grand jury announced it wouldn’t indict him.

📝 That brings us to yesterday… In her 15-page decision, ​​disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson said she supported the NFL’s conclusion that Watson committed at least four acts of sexual assault under the league’s definition, and that his behavior posed a “genuine danger to the safety and well-being of another person.” But she rejected the NFL’s request for a season-long ban, saying that such a move would go against the league’s past suspensions for similar non-violent conduct.

👀 Looking ahead… Both sides have until Thursday at 9 am ET to appeal the decision.