Deshaun Watson, the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, has been sentenced to a six-game suspension without pay by the disciplinary officer of NFL, Mr.Sue L. Robinson, the league confirmed on Monday to NPR.
Following 24 allegations of sexual misconduct against Watson, which resulted in legal lawsuits and Watson’s suspension for 2021, the star quarterback received the punishment. In June, Watson resolved 20 of the complaints brought against him.
It is said that this suspension is the best punishment for an NFL player for any allegations of sexual misconduct. The officer, Robinson, has also stated that Deshaun Watson’s conduct is more egregious than ever in NFL history. She hopes this will teach a lesson to the player.
According to NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy in an email to NPR, Watson was found guilty of several infractions of the Personal Conduct Policy of NFL by Robinson.
She specifically claimed that the NFL had established that Watson had committed acts of sexual harassment (as the NFL defines it), conduct endangering others, and conduct undermining the league’s integrity.
Deshaun Watson Out For Six Matches Without Pay For Sexual Misconduct
From late 2019 until winter 2021, Watson worked with over 60 massage therapists, some of whom leveled complaints against him.
Robinson also said that while taking appointments with a therapist, the player had sexual and therapeutic purposes. She added that she had found enough evidence to demonstrate Deshaun Watson knew that any contact between his private parts to the therapist was and always has been unwanted.
Two criminal trials in Texas earlier this year decided not to prosecute Watson on any criminal charges, paving the way for his eventual comeback to the field of play.
Through the NFL Player’s Union, Watson has three days to appeal the ruling. The league itself may appeal on its behalf.