On Monday, August 1st, 2022 the Cleveland Browns newly acquired superstar starting quarterback, Deshaun Watson, was suspended for 6 – regular season games without compensation for violating the National Football League’s personal conduct policy. Watson was also not fined for this violation which many individuals believed that he should have been fined in addition to a much longer suspension from playing football in the NFL.
This punishment was handed down from newly appointed disciplinary officer of the NFL, Sue L. Robinson. Judge Robinson was hired by the National Football League in order to do a better job of handling situations like this one in which the NFL used to seem to continuously struggle with disciplining their players especially regarding off – of – the – field – issues such as this one revolving around Watson and the inappropriate behavior he was said to be exhibiting consistently according to the over 20 – women who accused Deshaun of serious sexual misconduct over the course of the last several years.
“Deshaun has said it: He’s working to be the best version of himself,” the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Kevin Stefanski, explained. “He’s said that publicly, he’s said that privately, and I believe that.”
The Report following the Investigation into Deshaun Watson
After Robinson fully – investigated the Cleveland Browns quarterback Watson and his alleged poor behavior, she released a detailed 16 – page report. In that report Sue explained that the National Football League had previously suggested that Watson should get suspended for the entirety of the 2022 – 2023 NFL regular season including the 2022 – 2023 NFL playoffs if the Cleveland Browns were even able to make it that far during this upcoming professional football season.
What’s Next following this Ruling on the Deshaun Watson Case
Now that the initial decision was reached by Robinson, both the National Football League as well as the National Football League Players Association may file a written appeal to this ruling no later than this Thursday, August 4th, 2022 by 9:00 a. m. EST. Several days ago, the NFL players union (NFLPA) said that they fully agreed with as well as supported Robinson’s ultimate decision, and they advised the National Football League to follow suit. The NFL responded by saying that they were in the process of figuring out their next moves after the ruling was made earlier this week.
If for any reason an appeal is signed off on, then the commissioner of the National Football League, Roger Goodell, or his designee, “Will issue a written decision that will constitute full, final, and complete disposition of the dispute,”according to the legal terms of Article 46 in the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement.
Robinson’s Explanation of her Ruling
In terms of how this determination was eventually reached after the months long investigation transpired, Robinson defended her highly – contentious decision by explaining that although the recent actions of Deshaun Watson were extremely inappropriate and could not be tolerated, his behavior was deemed to be non – violent by Sue Robinson, and that is why she didn’t ultimately decide to make Watson’s suspension any longer than the 6 – regular season games that was handed down by her just several days ago.
On Monday, August 1st, 2022 the owners of the Cleveland Browns, Jimmy and Dee Haslam, expressed in a statement that was released to the public, “We respect Judge Robinson’s decision, and at the same time, empathize and understand that there have been many individuals triggered throughout this process. We know Deshaun is remorseful that this situation has caused much heartache to many and he will continue the work needed to show who he is on and off the field, and we will continue to support him.”
Deshaun Watson’s Football Career Achievements, Honors, & Awards
- 3 – Time NFL Pro Bowl Selection (2018, 2019, 2020)
- NFL Passing Yards Leader (2020)
- PFWA All – Rookie Team Selection (2017)
- College Football Playoff National Champion (2016)
- College Football Playoff National Championship Offensive MVP Award Winner (2016)
- Best Male College Athlete ESPY Award Winner (2017)
- Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Winner (2016)
- 2 – Time Davey O’Brien Award Winner (2015, 2016)
- 2 – Time Manning Award Winner (2015, 2016)
- Consensus All – American Selection (2015)
- 2 – Time ACC Athlete of the Year Award Winner (2016, 2017)
- ACC Player of the Year Award Winner (2015)
- ACC Offensive Player of the Year Award Winner (2015)
- Named to the First – Team All – ACC (2015)
- Named to the Second – Team All – ACC (2016)
Deshaun Watson’s NFL Records
- Highest Career Completion Percentage of 67.8 %
- Most Completions with a Perfect Passer Rating with 28