Editor’s note: This story contains reports of sexual harassment. If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or at https://www.rainn.org.
Browns rookies and quarterbacks reported to CrossCountry Mortgage Campus for training camp on Friday. Among the group of signal callers was Deshaun Watson, although his status for the 2022 season is unknown.
Watson is awaiting a decision from Sue L. Robinson, the independent arbitrator for the NFL and NFLPA in his case, to determine whether he will face any suspension for the sexual misconduct allegations against him.
The three-time Pro Bowler is still facing four active civil suits, after 20 were settled in June, filed by massage therapists, detailing detailed accounts of sexual harassment and abuse. of sex that occurred during the massage sessions. The reports range from Watson allegedly refusing to cover his privates to the quarterback “grabbing [the plaintiff] by his privates and attempting to force him to have sex with her.” mouth.” In June, The New York Times’ Jenny Vrentas reported that Watson had booked at least 66 women over a 17-month period for massage therapy sessions.
The report also revealed that Houston and the Texans’ recreation center “facilitated” Watson’s massage practice, with the team providing equipment and non-disclosure agreements. It also found that Watson’s attorney and a prosecutor in the district attorney’s office regarding criminal cases had a serious conversation leading up to the two grand juries. According to Vrentas, Rusty Hardin, Watson’s attorney, “began a casual conversation” with the Harris County sex crimes prosecutor in early 2022.
On Monday, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reported that the decision regarding Watson could “collide” with Cleveland’s “meeting” to begin training camp with its former players on July 27. According to Yahoo Sports, the explanation can exist for a long time regarding his penalty decision is that Robinson is willing to give the league and Watson another chance to decide to stop next week.
According to The MMQB’s Albert Breer, the NFL is reportedly seeking a one-year suspension for Watson. However, if Robinson orders a lengthy suspension as Watson’s final decision or NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recommends appealing his ruling as Watson’s final punishment decision, the quarterback and the NFLPA they plan to file a lawsuit against the deal in federal court, according to Yahoo Sports. On June 27, previous settlement talks between the NFL and the NFLPA collapsed with the union pushing for a full-year suspension, according to Breer.
The players’ union insisted on a lighter punishment, which is in line with the precedent set in the cases involving three NFL owners – Commissioners Daniel Snyder, Patriots’ Robert Kraft and Cowboys’ Jerry Jones.
In late June, Robinson heard arguments from the NFL, the NFLPA and Watson during a federal hearing. According to Breer, the NFL presented the cases of five women during the three-day process.
At the end of the hearing, Robinson did not give an exact time when he will announce his decision. If Watson is suspended, veteran Jacoby Brissett will start in Cleveland’s place, according to the Associated Press. In addition, the Browns also signed 10th-round pick Josh Rosen to a one-year contract on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The 25-year-old joins Brissett and Josh Dobbs in the Browns quarterback room.
A clause built into Watson’s contract dictates that he will forfeit $55,556 for each game he is suspended through the 2022 season.
Watson has denied all charges against him, and two Texas courts have declined to indict him on criminal charges. Cleveland traded for Watson in March, signing him to a five-year contract worth $230 million.
