“While this is the most severe sentence ever handed down to an NFL player for charges of non-violent sexual conduct, Mr. Watson’s pattern of behavior is more blatant than any previously assessed by the NFL,” wrote former federal judge Sue L. Robinson in the 16-page statement.
The six-game suspension is well below the NFL’s request to suspend Watson for at least the entire 17-game season and after the season. In her ruling, Robinson criticized the NFL for asking for an unprecedented full-season suspension, which would last much longer than other players accused of nonviolent sexual conduct.
“While it may be very appropriate to punish players more severely for nonviolent sexual conduct, I do not believe it is appropriate to do so without notice of the extraordinary change this position represents for the NFL and its players,” she wrote.
Under the collective bargaining agreement, the NFL or the NFL Players Association can now appeal in writing to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell within three business days. Goodell or its agent “will make a written decision which shall constitute the full, final and complete settlement of the dispute and shall be binding on the player,” according to the agreement.
In a statement, the NFL praised Robinson’s “zeal and professionalism” in the process and said it is reviewing its next steps.
On Sunday night, the NFL Players Association and Watson released a joint statement saying they would not appeal regardless of the decision and asked the NFL to do the same.
In March, a grand jury in Harris County, Texas, declined to indict Watson on charges of harassment and sexual misconduct after it determined there was not enough evidence to charge him with a crime. According to a statement on the NFL website, the incidents were described as “as a result of massage therapy sessions.”
In July, 30 women who “made, or intended to make claims” against the Texan organization over the sexual misconduct allegations against Watson settled their claims, according to a release from Buzbee and a statement from the Texans’ owner.
DailyExpertNews has contacted the NFLPA and the Browns for comment.
Judge criticizes NFL for response to public outcry
Robinson’s ruling comes after she held three days of hearings in the case in late June and reviewed the NFL’s 215-page investigative report on Watson’s case, which included testimonies from four of the massage therapists.
According to the ruling, the NFL has proven through a preponderance of evidence that Watson has violated three aspects of the league’s personal conduct policy: sexual assault, as defined by the NFL; behavior that poses a real danger to the safety and well-being of another; and conduct that undermines or jeopardizes the integrity of the NFL.
Robinson also expressed skepticism about Watson’s denial of wrongdoing.
“It is difficult to give weight to a complete denial when it is weighed against the credible testimonies of the researchers who interviewed the therapists and other third parties,” she wrote.
The most common discipline for domestic or gender-based violence and sexual acts is a six-game suspension, and previous cases of non-violent assault, such as Watson’s, have resulted in a three-game suspension at most, Robinson wrote.
“Just as the NFL responded to violent behavior after a public outcry, so it appears the NFL is responding to yet another public outcry about Mr. Watson’s behavior,” Robinson wrote. “Here, the NFL is trying to impose a more dramatic change in its culture without the benefit of fair notice to — and consistency of consequence for — those in the NFL who are subject to the policy.”
Robinson also mandated Watson to limit his massage therapy to team-focused sessions and therapists for the rest of his career.