NFLPA won’t appeal Deshaun Watson ruling and calls on NFL to do likewise; NFL will likely retain the right

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The NFL Players Association issued a statement Sunday night stating that it won’t appeal NFL Disciplinary Officer Sue L. Robinson’s ruling on Deshaun Watson’s case under the Personal Conduct Policy, and has asked the NFL to do likewise.

Robinson has told all parties involved in the case that she’ll inform them of her decision by 9 a.m. Monday, two sources told cleveland.com.

But the NFL, which has argued vehemently for an indefinite suspenion for at least the 2022 season, will retain the collectively bargained right for either side to appeal, which was revised in 2020 after the NFLPA fought for an overhaul of the disciplinary system.

The new process took the initial decision on discipline out of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s hands, and put it in those of an independent officer, jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA. Goodell hears the appeal from either side, and his word is final. As long as sanctions are levied, he can amend them as he sees fit.

Watson’s case is the first one under the new rules, and the NFL will let the process play out.

But the NFLPA made it clear in a joint statement with Watson that it wants Robinson’s word to be final.

“In advance of Judge Robinson’s decision, we wanted to reiterate the facts of this proceeding,’’ the statement read. “First, we have fully cooperated with every NFL inquiry and provided the NFL with the most comprehensive set of information for any personal conduct policy investigation. A former Federal Judge – appointed jointly by the NFLPA and NFL – held a full and fair hearing, has read thousands of pages of investigative documents and reviewed arguments from both sides impartially.

“Every player, owner, business partner and stakeholder deserves to know that our process is legitimate and will not be tarnished based on the whims of the League office. This is why, regardless of her decision, Deshaun and the NFLPA will stand by her ruling and we call on the NFL to do the same.’’

Watson faces a potential multi-game suspension under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy in the wake of accusations by nearly 30 massage therapists that he committed sexual misconduct during appointments in 2020 and 2021 when he played for the Texans.

He was under investigation by the NFL, led by attorney Lisa Friel, for more than 15 months.

Watson, 26, has settled 20 of the 24 civil suits against him, with four pending. All of the plaintiffs are represented by Houston attorney Tony Buzbee. Thirty of his accusers have settled their claims or intended claims against the Houston Texans for enabling Watson’s alleged misconduct.

The NFL has argued vehemently for the minimum year-long suspension, with a chance to apply for reinstatement after the season. The NFLPA, led by attorney Jeffrey Kessler, has fought for a much shorter ban, largely on the grounds that NFL owners such as Jerry Jones, Daniel Snyder and Robert Kraft weren’t punished for their direct or indirect involvement in sexual misconduct on the part of themselves or someone in their organizations.

Robinson, who presided over a three-day hearing June 27-30 in Delaware attended by Watson, his lawyers, the NFL and NFLPA, requested post-hearing briefs that were due July 12th. From that point, the estimated time frame for a decision was the first week of August.

Watson’s camp remains optimistic that he’ll play at some point this season, sources tell cleveland.com, while the NFL has remained mum throughout the process.

In the meantime, Watson has taken all the first-team reps in training camp, and the Browns are making a concerted effort to establish him as the starting quarterback of the team even though he’s expected to miss at least part of the season. Jacoby Brissett has taken all of the second-team reps and will start in Watson’s place.

“[Watson] can do everything,’’ receiver Amari Cooper said Thursday. “I call him the magician. He just makes plays out there. He’s incredible, some of the stuff I’ve seen on film with, shoot, going back to Clemson. He just makes it happen so he’s definitely up there at the top (of the QBs he played with).”

Coach Kevin Stefanski has set the tone for his squad of not fretting about the looming suspension.

“You control the controllables,’’ he said. “Really as you know, I control what goes on on this field so I continue to do that. All of my discussions with Deshaun or any of the guys on the team, we will keep internal.’’

Watson, who got an enthusiastic reception from fans on the first day of training camp open to the public on Saturday, has yet to address the media since full-squad camp officially opened Wednesday, and might not do so until the final suspension is determined.

If Watson is suspended for a specific number of games and not banished (with a chance to apply for reinstatement), he’ll be permitted to practice with the team until the week leading up to the opener Sept. 11 in Carolina. That includes all of training camp, which is open to the public through Aug. 16.

If he’s suspended for a specific number of games, he’ll be permitted to attend the Browns facility halfway through the suspension, and participate in limited team activities to get reacclimated to the club.

On Saturday, Watson was cheered by fans as he ran onto the practice field and when he completed passes to players such as Demetric Felton, Donovan Peoples-Jones and David Njoku. After practice, he signed autographs and gave his signed cleats to two young boys who played him in rock, paper, scissors. Watson won both games, but gave up the cleats anyway, much to the delight of the boys.

Watson has maintained his innocence throughout the process, saying ‘I never assaulted anyone; I never forced anyone.’’ Two separate grand juries declined to indict him on criminal charges, the first of which touched off a competition for Watson’s services among the Browns, Saints, Panthers and Falcons. He chose the Browns after initially supposedly ruling them out first, with the Browns trading six draft picks for him, including three first rounders.

The Browns also extended his contract, giving him a then-NFL record $230 million over five years. It was also the first fully-guaranteed deal in the NFL. With the Browns lowering his 2022 base salary to $1.035 million, Watson will forfeit $57,500 for every game missed.

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