Deshaun Watson's Punishment Could Be a "Very Long Suspension," But Browns Star Is Going to Fight

By Mary Webber First Posted: Jul 06, 2022 09:21 PM EDT

Deshaun Watson is awaiting his punishment after the NFL star quarterback was faced with sexual misconduct allegations.

The Cleveland Brown quarterback could face up to a season-long suspension from the league. He was accused of sexual assault by around two dozen women, prompting a three-day disciplinary hearing, according to an ABC News report.

Watson has never been arrested or criminally charged for the allegations while two grand juries declined to indict Watson after reviewing the evidence.

Meanwhile, the NFL quarterback has maintained his innocence throughout the allegations while his tea Cleveland Browns have stood behind the player.

Brown's general manager Andrew Berry said during a press conference last month that it would not have mattered how talented Watson was if they did not get comfortable with "Deshaun the person."

Berry added that they believe in "Deshaun, the person."

Mary Kate Cabot covers the Browns for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and said that Watson recently told her that he is "seeking some counseling" despite not admitting to wrongdoing.

Deshaun Watson Punishment

The NFL wants a minimum suspension of one year while Watson calls no punishment at all.

NBC Sports reported that retired federal judge Sue L. Robinson has presided the hearings on Watson's case. Robinson is set to make the decision based on facts as sufficient, proven or not by the league.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell clarified that Watson is under NFL's probe. Goodell said during a press conference that the personal conduct policy does not need a criminal violation to be a violation of the personal conduct policy.

The personal conduct policy prohibits assault and/or battery, including sexual assault or other sex offenses. If Robinson finds that Watson did not violate the league's policy, his case will be closed.

Cleveland Browns reportedly guaranteed Watson $230 million over five years in a trade deal in March, which was the most guaranteed money at the signing of any NFL player in history.

Deshaun Watson Allegations

Watson is being accused by 24 women in civil lawsuits filed in Harris County, Texas.

The lawyer representing the women said that they had largely supported one another's claims of sexual misconduct and coercive behavior against Watson.

The New York Times noted that only two of the cases included claims of sexual assault, wherein Watson was said in both cases to have pressured women to perform oral sex during massages. He was also accused in one of the cases to have grabbed a woman's buttocks and vagina.

The incidents cited in the lawsuits were said to have happened from March 2020 to March 2021.

In April 2021, two of Watson's accusers publicly identified themselves. They have statements describing their alleged encounters.

Watson's lawyers had filed a motion asking the court to compel all the plaintiffs to reveal their identities before the settlements.

Watson's legal team cited the use of pseudonyms in civil lawsuits as a violation of Texas state law.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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