NFL AND NFLPA REACH AGREEMENT ON 11-GAME SUSPENSION AND $5 MILLION FINE FOR DESHAUN WATSON
The NFL and the NFL Players Association finally reached an agreement on the suspension of Deshaun Watson on Thursday, putting the nearly 17-month-old saga to rest.
Watson is now officially suspended for 11 games to start the season for violations of the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. The former first-round pick is slated to make his regular-season debut for the Cleveland Browns on December 4th in week 13 against his former team the Houston Texans, exactly 700 days after his last regular-season game. The 26-year-old was also fined a total of $5 million, which the league said would go to charity. Alongside the suspension and fine, Watson will also undergo a mandatory behavioral evaluation by behavioral experts who will determine a counseling plan for the new Browns quarterback.
There is, however, no timeline for Watson to undergo the mandatory evaluation from behavioral experts but it’ll be “relatively soon”, as per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The settlement covers the four cases Judge Sue L. Robinson ruled on as well as any substantially similar violations before the date of the agreement (Thursday, August 18th). This means that any new allegations regarding Watson from 2019 to 2021 wouldn’t be subject to NFL investigation or discipline. The league could still investigate if allegations arise that are different in nature including the use of force, which was not alleged in the cases Judge Robinson ruled on. Failure to comply with the terms of the agreement on the part of Deshaun Watson would be considered a new violation and would be subject to additional discipline including a delay in reinstatement.
Watson was initially handed a 6-game suspension a few weeks prior, after Judge Sue L. Robinson, jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA, released her 16-page decision. The NFLPA opted not to appeal the decision before the league appealed to NFL Commissioner Goodell who ultimately designated the case to former Attorney General of New Jersey Peter Harvey. According to reports, settlement talks between the league and the NFLPA broke down a few weeks ago with the league insisting on a discipline of at least a year for Deshaun Watson and an $8 million fine. With the agreement now final, both parties put the matter to bed and Watson can now take to the field after sitting out the 2021 season.
The Cleveland Browns and the NFL will also hand out a $1 million donation each in addition to the $5 million by Deshaun Watson. The $7 million fund will be donated to non-profit groups across the US that exist to educate young people on healthy relationships, promote education and prevention of sexual misconduct and assault, and support survivors, and related causes.
A statement from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell read: “Deshaun has committed to doing the hard work on himself that is necessary for his return to the NFL. This settlement requires compliance with a professional evaluation and treatment plan, a significant fine, and a more substantial suspension. We are grateful to Judge Robinson and Peter Harvey for their efforts in addressing these matters, which laid the foundation for reaching this decision.”
Watson reacted to the news in a short statement via the Cleveland Browns that read: “I’m grateful that the disciplinary process has ended and extremely appreciative of the tremendous support I have received throughout my short time with the Browns organization. I apologize once again for any pain this situation has caused. I take accountability for the decisions I made. My focus going forward is on working to become the best version of myself on and off the field and supporting my teammates however possible while I’m away from the team. I’m excited about what the future holds for me in Cleveland.”
Watson has maintained his innocence throughout this process and said last week that just because he settled the cases against him and agreed to Judge Robinson’s suspension doesn’t mean he’s guilty. “I’m moving on with my career, with my life and I will continue to stand on my innocence,” he said. “Just because settlements and things like that happen doesn’t mean that a person is guilty for anything. I feel like a person has an opportunity to stand on his innocence and prove that, and we proved that on the legal side. We just got to continue pushing forward as an individual and as a person.”
Watson’s $230 million contract with the Cleveland Browns is structured to include a base salary of $1.035 million, which means that Watson only loses $57,500 per game suspended. This means that Watson’s total lost pay this season will only amount to $632,500, something that has sparked criticism for the way his contract is structured. Watson’s former team, the Houston Texans, also settled with 30 women who made or intended to make claims against the organization for its alleged role in Watson’s sexual misconduct allegations last month and will now play host to Watson for his first game as a Brown.
David Mulugheta, Watson’s agent, tweeted after the announcement: “Deshaun has always stated he is innocent of sexual assault. Nothing has changed in what he said. He also said he is remorseful, the decisions he made have created this situation. The settlement allows him to move forward with his life and career.”
Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and GM Andrew Berry said after Judge Robinson’s ruling was announced a few weeks ago that they would speak to the media after the disciplinary process was complete. The two spoke to reporters after the announcement on Thursday.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said that he thought Watson deserves a second chance and that he would “absolutely” make the decision to trade for the former Texans quarterback [if he had to do it again]. “I think in this country, and hopefully in the world, people deserve second chances,” he said. “I really think that. Is he never supposed to play again? Is he no longer supposed to be part of society? Does he get no chance to rehabilitate himself? That’s what we’re going to do. We think people deserve a second chance. We gave Kareem Hunt a second chance and that worked out pretty well.”
“We’re hoping this will work out and we have strong belief it will. That doesn’t mean we don’t have empathy for people affected and we will continue to do so but we strongly believe, strongly believe people deserve a second chance. We believe Deshaun Watson deserves a second chance.”
Browns Head Coach Kevin Stefanski also said last week that Watson will not play in any more preseason games. Watson played a few minutes in week 1 of the preseason against the Jacksonville Jaguars and completed just 1 of 5 passes for 7 yards on three possessions for the Browns.
The three-time Pro Bowler’s suspension will take effect at the final roster cut down at 4 pm on August 30th and he will be eligible for reinstatement on November 28. As per NFL policy, Watson may return to the team’s training facility and participate in limited activities on October 10th before he can resume practicing on November 14th.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero