NFL Appeals Decision Browns' Deshaun Watson Should Be Suspended for 6 Games

The six-game suspension levied against Deshaun Watson is being appealed by the National Football League.

The league will appeal Sue L. Robinson's decision, Brian McCarthy said in a statement.

Jonathan Jones @jjones9

The NFLPA has until Friday to file its response to the NFL’s appeal. There’s no timetable on when the appeals process will be complete, per sources.

The league wants a full-year suspension according to Judy Battista. The league is trying to include a fine as well.

Jeff Darlington @JeffDarlington

I'm told NFL is appealing for an indefinite suspension that would be a minimum of one year. But perhaps more significant given the structure of Watson's contract, source tells me the NFL's appeal will also include a monetary fine. Money is now a significant part of the equation.

Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports gave more information.

Charles Robinson @CharlesRobinson

#NFL’s appeal of Deshaun Watson sanctions from multiple sources: 1 year indefinite suspension + treatment. No $ fine. Or

IF suspension is less than 1 year, it will carry a significant $ fine + treatment. Unanswered questions: How many games & what is the corresponding fine?

The independent officer who oversaw the case was Sue Robinson, who was appointed by the football league and the players' union. Robinson said that the six-game suspension without pay was based on the league's own precedent. Her decision was not well received.

Robinson wrote that Mr.Watson's pattern of conduct is more egregious than any before. She mandated that the three-time Pro Bowler only receive massages from team-approved therapists and have no adverse involvement with law enforcement or violate the league's personal conduct policy again.

Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero

Here’s the conclusion of Judge Sue L. Robinson’s decision on Deshaun Watson, saying in part the NFL “is attempting to impose a more dramatic shift in its culture without the benefit of fair notice to — and consistency of consequence for — those in the NFL subject to the Policy.” pic.twitter.com/IwiCXaheHO

Robinson's own conclusions led some to believe that the suspension was too light. The gravity of the situation was downplayed by many of the same voices.

Twenty-two women initially came forward with allegations in 2021, and a total of 25 women filed civil cases against him. Early in the process, one of the cases was dropped. Tony Buzbee said on Monday that three of the remaining four cases had been settled.

30 women settled their claims against the Houston Texans in July.

Laurie Fitzpatrick @LaurieFitzptrck

I'm sure the women feel attacked, whether they were hit or beat, it's still violent to them.

David Gardner @byDavidGardner

How is "conduct that poses a genuine danger to the safety and well-being of another person" deemed non-violent? https://t.co/ej27hbILx1

Andrew Brandt @AndrewBrandt

So it appears that Judge Robinson agrees with the NFL on predatory and egregious behavior that was sexual assault. But since it was, in her view, "non-violent," there's no precedent for this kind of punishment. So he used non-violent ways to do predatory sexual assault?

Odd.

The Cleveland Rape Center said in a statement that the ban mirrors the flaws in our criminal justice systems and sends a grave message to our communities.

Jake Trotter @Jake_Trotter

The Cleveland Rape Crises Center sent the following statement to ESPN, saying it is "disappointed" with Sue L. Robinson's ruling on Deshaun Watson: pic.twitter.com/5RYtWJXLp1

The ruling was not binding.

The new collective bargaining agreement prevents the NFL commissioner from suspending players for violating the personal conduct policy.

When a suspension is deemed worthy, the commissioner has a lot of power. In this case, the door was still open for the league to appeal and for the commissioner to decide if he will hear the appeal or not. The six-game suspension will be upheld, extended or reduced.

The NFL Players Association issued a statement one day before the suspension was announced, saying it would "stand by" Robinson's ruling and calling on the league to do the same.

There was a chance that the NFL would appeal the decision.

The league was looking to suspend him for a minimum of one season according to Dan. He was allowed to apply for reinstatement after 12 games.

Despite the civil lawsuits surrounding the quarterback, the Browns placed a large bet on him.

The Texans received three first-round picks, a third-round pick and a fourth-round pick in exchange for him. They signed him to a five year extension.

With a base salary of $690,000 and a salary-cap hit of $9.7 million, it's easy to see how Cleveland could be helped by a suspension.

The regular season begins in September with a game between the Carolina Panthers and the ClevelandBrowns. He would be able to return in Week 7 against the Ravens.