Suspension of Browns’ Deshaun Watson slammed for being too light: ‘An absolute disgrace’

Since news of Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy following accusations of sexual misconduct broke, social media timelines have been flooded with outrage about the league’s decision.

According to an ESPN report, 25 lawsuits have been filed against Watson since March 16, 2021, alleging sexual assault and other inappropriate behavior during massage sessions. One of those 25 was dropped by the plaintiff when the judge ruled her petition had to be amended with her name. Watson has settled 20 of the 24 remaining suits.

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ESPN reported Monday morning that Watson had agreed to settle three of the remaining four suits.

Here’s what many expressing their disgust of the NFL’s light suspension are saying via Twitter.

Per ex-Green Bay Packers executive Andrew Brandt:

Watson used money from the Texans and Browns to settle lawsuits brought by 24 (and counting) women he sought out for “massage.” And now will suffer only $350,000 financial loss (on a $230 million contract) for his actions. There’s something, well, icky about all of this.

Per NFL reporter Dov Kleiman:

For perspective, Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins received a 6-game suspension for a PED violation. Deshaun Watson was facing over 24 sexual misconduct lawsuits.

Per CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco:

Six games? That isn’t close to what I thought Watson would get.

Per USA Today’s Mike Freeman:

What an absolute effing disgrace

Per ex-Cleveland Browns GM Michael Lombardi:

The inconsistency in discipline by the NFL is always staggering and leaves many wondering.

Per ex-Philadelphia Eagles general manager Joe Banner:

Non violent egregious sexual conduct. What the hell is that and what precedent is she using to get to only 6 games.

Judge calls his behavior egregious, but then suspends him less time than Kendrick’s for insider trading and equal to Myles Garrett for hitting a player with his helmet during a game. How can that be right?

Per NFL Media’s Jim Trotter:

Watson is a great player who has done a lot of good in the community, but his behavior (allegedly reaching out to 60+ women on social media for “massages”) is sooooo far outside the norm that it’s not a stretch to accept that some of the allegations have merit.

Per the Ringer’s Lindsay Jones:

My initial read on the Watson decision is it is a strict interpretation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Six feels light, given **everything** but also in line with the way the policy is written.

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Per NFL insider Jason La Canfora:

What does the NFL think about the optics of just 6 games for Watson vs past discipline? Do they want to flex muscles vs NFLPA and appeal? Or do they believe that sends signal that undermines agreeing to this proceas in the first place? We’ll find out in a few days

Per Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson:

The #NFL now must grapple with whether Roger Goodell is a more fair/accurate/appropriate arbiter of justice in the Deshaun Watson case than an impartially appointed federal judge who weighed the presented evidence for a month. It’s a sizable question with a consequential answer.

Per Boston Sports Journal’s Sean McAdam:

Four games for deflating footballs. Six games for being a serial sexual assaulter. The National Football League, folks, “the best run league of them all.” (laugh emoji)

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Joey Chandler may be reached at jchandler@njadvancemedia.com

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