Roger Goodell Gets Brutally Honest on Seeking 1-Year Suspension for Deshaun Watson: 'It Was Predatory Behavior'

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday explained why they appealed the six-game suspension for DeShaun Watson, saying that "it was the right thing to do."

NFL Network reporter James Palmer shared Goodell's words on Twitter, underscoring that the Collective Bargaining Agreement allows the two parties - NFLPA and NFL - to challenge and appeal the six-week suspension vested by disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson.

"That was something that we thought was our right to do, as well as the NFLPA. So we decided it was the right thing to do." Goodell highlighted.

In an event on Tuesday, specifically dedicated to approving the Bronco's new ownership, Goodell also tackled the NFL's decision why they sought one year for DeShaun Watson's suspension.

"We've seen the evidence, she was very clear about the evidence, she reinforced the evidence," Goodell noted. The NFL commissioner added that Watson has multiple violations that were "egregious and predatory behavior."

Goodell then emphasized that such actions from Watson are what they felt were important for them to address.

Browns QB DeShaun Watson Issue

It can be recalled that the appeal made by the NFL was lauded by women's rights groups, including the National Organization for Women. The group previously said that the six-week ban initially issued was "unacceptable, insulting, and dangerous."

"The NFL has had a violence against women problem for years - and everyone knows it," the group emphasized.

DeShaun Watson was accused of sexual assault and other inappropriate conduct during massage sessions in civil lawsuits filed by 25 women. The said encounters reportedly occurred between March 2020 and March 2021. Watson settled 20 of the lawsuits in June.

ESPN underscored that the encounters occurred while Watson was still with Houston Texans.

Robinson issued a 16-page report that included a six-week suspension for Watson, contending that NFL "carried its burden" to prove that Watson was involved in sexual assault. The report also noted that the Browns quarterback posed a "genuine danger to the safety and well-being of another person." The report also stressed that Watson's conduct placed the integrity of the NFL at risk.

"[Watson's] predatory conduct cast a negative light on the League and its players," Robinson said in the report.

Browns Owner on NFL's Appeal Over Deshaun Watson Issue

On Tuesday, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said that his team will "respect and honor" the process of appeal sought by the NFL regarding the time frame of Watson's suspension.

Speaking from Minnesota on Tuesday, Haslam further noted that the Browns are also ready to respect the decision vested by Judge Robinson.

The Browns also insisted that Watson has shown remorse for his actions, even though Robinson concluded that the quarterback has not.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Deshaun Watson Update: Roger Goodell Calls Deshaun Watson's Behavior "Egregious" and "Predatory" - From WKYC Channel 3