![]() And the current moment is already one of reckoning for the league, as it continues to deal with scrutiny from a congressional inquiry into the Washington Commanders’ team culture and treatment of female employees. It’s not hard to argue that would be the correct outcome, given the volume and severity of the charges against Watson - conduct Robinson found Watson guilty of, and which she called “predatory” in her decision. Goodell’s decision will be binding and final, 3 and - based on the reporting around the league’s approach to the appeal - there’s almost no reason to believe that Watson will face anything less than a full year’s suspension. Harvey), and no new evidence can be presented. Article 46 of the collective bargaining agreement grants Commissioner Roger Goodell the ability to determine discipline on appeal (or delegate the decision to a person of his choosing - in this case, former New Jersey Attorney General Peter C. The NFLPA has until close of business Friday to file a written response to the appeal, but at this point it has few options. Such a decision could tank the Browns’ chances in 2022 and beyond - plus, one would hope, teach other teams about the risk of trying to win at all costs. The rest of the sports world? It was outraged.īut on Wednesday, a case that’s stretched on for over two years was extended a few more weeks when the NFL announced it would appeal and seek to impose both a fine and a longer, indefinite suspension. 2 In that moment, Cleveland was surely reveling in its good fortune. Sue Robinson, the disciplinary officer jointly appointed by the NFL and NFL Players Association to decide on a punishment, found Watson guilty of sexual assault, posing a threat to the well-being of another person and conduct that undermines the integrity of the NFL - but she suspended Watson for just six games and levied no fine. On Monday, it looked as though the Browns’ ethical flexibility had paid off - at least in football terms. ![]() Allegations against Watson include ejaculating on women without their consent, touching women with his penis without their consent and orally penetrating two women without their consent. Desperate to change the team’s trajectory after just three winning seasons in the past 20 years, the Cleveland front office was comfortable signing the most expensive guaranteed contract in NFL history and trading away three years of first-round picks 1 for a quarterback accused by more than two dozen women of sexual assault or other inappropriate conduct. The Browns’ reckless bet on quarterback Deshaun Watson is a failure. Nick Cammett / Diamond Images / Getty Images Cleveland’s gamble on a lenient punishment for Deshaun Watson looked like it paid off - but the NFL might change that soon.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |