Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has settled 20 of the 24 civil suits filed against him for sexual misconduct. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Deshaun Watson awaits a looming punishment.
The Cleveland Browns quarterback, who faces multiple civil lawsuits for sexual misconduct, will reportedly face suspension, according to Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson.
“The Browns are awaiting a lengthy suspension for Watson. There is concern from the NFL Players Association that the league will look to suspend the former Clemson standout for the entire 2022 season, if not indefinitely, according to sources.”
According to long-time NFL insider Josina Anderson, the details of the suspension are under discussion.
“I’m told there’ve been recent attempts by the NFL, the NFLPA & Deshaun Watson’s advisors to negotiate a discipline settlement. However talks involving a potential number of games missed “fell apart” not being on the same page. As of now, process moves forward, per league sources.”
According to insider Dan Patrick, the negotiations will start at a one-year suspension. He reports that a new process is being used:
“The commissioner doesn’t hear this, he hears the appeal. There’s no precedent here. My source said the NFL Players Association will bring up Daniel Snyder, Robert Kraft and Ben Roethlisberger. That’s going to be part of, from what my source said, the NFL Players Association, their approach will be to bring up these cases as far as discipline. Also, therapy would be a part of this. [Watson] would get a one-year suspension and be required to go into therapy. Now the other part of this: the Texans, according to my source, were enablers.”
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According to an ESPN report, 25 lawsuits have been filed against Watson since March 16, 2021, alleging sexual assault and other inappropriate behavior during massage sessions. One of those 25 was dropped by the plaintiff when the judge ruled her petition had to be amended with her name. Watson has settled 20 of the 24 remaining suits.
NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported:
Lawyer Tony Buzbee says he is planning to try the other 4 civil lawsuits against Deshaun Watson that have not settled at this point including Ashley Solis, the first woman to come forward to him publicly with an accusation against Watson.
Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reported that the NFL appears to be getting closer to handing down a decision on Watson’s possible suspension.
#NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy on Deshaun Watson settling 20 cases: “(Tuesday’s) development has no impact on the collectively bargained disciplinary process.’’
A player does not need to be found guilty of a crime — or even criminally charged — for the NFL to issue a suspension. The NFL’s personal conduct policy operates independently from whether a player is convicted or charged.
Per SI’s Albert Breer:
The NFL, NFLPA and arbitrator had the June 30 deadline for pretrial discovery circled as one to get past on their decision timeline. With settlements in place, that date becomes less relevant, and real closure more realistic. I’d expect a Deshaun Watson decision before camp.
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