A former US district judge ruled on Monday that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson should be suspended for six games without pay for violating the NFL's personal-conduct policy.
Judge Sue L Robinson informed the NFL and the NFL Players' Association of her decision in a 15-page conclusion. However, the decision is not yet final.
While the NFLPA vowed Sunday night not to appeal Robinson's decision, the league has three days to appeal the ruling. The NFL released a statement later on Monday, thanking Robinson for her "diligence and professionalism," adding that it is "reviewing" her ruling.
"In light of her findings, the league is reviewing Judge Robinson's imposition of a six-game suspension and will make a determination on next steps," the NFL said in the statement.
If the league appeals, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell – or a designee – would issue a "full, final and complete disposition of the dispute," per the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.
Robinson wrote that though the penalty is the "most significant ever imposed on a NFL player for allegations of non-violent sexual conduct, Mr Watson's pattern of conduct is more egregious than any before reviewed by the NFL".
According to CBS Sports, the NFL was pushing for an indefinite suspension that would last through the 2022 season.
The NFLPA and Watson have vowed to sue if he is suspended for the season.
Robinson found that there wasn't enough evidence to support a season-long or indefinite banishment.
"The NFL may be a 'forward-facing' organization, but it is not necessarily a forward-looking one," Robinson wrote.
"Just as the NFL responded to violent conduct after a public outcry, so it seems the NFL is responding to a yet another public outcry about Mr Watson's conduct.
"At least in the former situation, the policy was changed and applied proactively," she wrote. "Here, 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 its policy."
If the suspension stands, Watson would be eligible to return for the Browns' 23 October game at Baltimore.
Watson would stand to lose $345,000 in game checks off his 2022 base salary of $1.035m. His base salary jumps to $46m in 2023, when his extension with the Browns kicks in.
Robinson's punishment ruling doesn't include a fine, per reports. It also dictates that Watson not have massages, other than those prescribed by the Browns.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski shared that his initial plan is to start veteran backup Jacoby Brissett in Watson's absence, but added: "We have a couple plans. We're going to stick to it until we get more information."
Watson, 26, stood accused of sexual assault and inappropriate misconduct during massage sessions that took place between March 2020 and March 2021.
Watson settled 23 of the 24 sustained lawsuits he faced, including three announced on Monday by plaintiffs' attorney Tony Buzbee. That includes a settlement with Ashley Solis, the first to sue Watson and the first to go public.
Though two grand juries in Texas decided not to pursue criminal charges against Watson, the NFL has been conducting an independent investigation to determine whether he violated its personal conduct policy.
Robinson's ruling was made following three days of testimony in Delaware in June.
