Deshaun Watson’s comments following Suspension show that he has learned nothing

The NFL and NFL Players Association agreed on a deal to suspend Deshaun Watson for 11 regular season games and fine him $5 million. The suspension comes after 25 women sued Watson, accusing him of sexual misconduct during massage sessions in 2020 and early 2021. A total of 30 women accused the Houston Texans of “turning a blind eye” to allegations that Watson was sexually assaulting and harassing women during massage sessions. In mid-July, they settled the legal cases against Watson’s former teammates.

The attorney representing the women, Tony Buzbee, announced that 23 out of the 25 lawsuits were settled. After disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson ruled that Watson would be suspended for the first six games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, but he would not be fined, initially, the NFL attempted to suspend Watson for one year for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. They have now come to the agreement outlined.

As Jerry Wilson, my colleague reported, Watson talked about Watson’s extended suspension and the $5 million fine.

“I’ll continue to stand on my innocence, just because you know 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 from a legal side, and just going to continue to push forward as an individual and as a person.”

He continued by saying that he would like to share his story one day:

“That’s definitely the plan, that’s definitely the goal … I feel like through the whole process I’ve been trying to tell my side of the story. But a lot of people just didn’t pay a lot of attention to it.”

Earlier this year, Watson signed a five-year, $230 million deal with the Cleveland Browns. That is $46 million per year. Watson would pay pennies to get a $5 million penalty for an average individual. Ask yourself this question: What if you were charged by these women with sexual assault or harassment? Watson would probably get a harsher sentence than Watson.

As I mentioned in my article on the Browns quarterback’s infraction, the NFL has imposed harsher penalties for minor infractions. The following are some of the examples:

NFL suspensions:

Deshaun Watson: 11 games, $5 million fine – 24 sexual misconduct lawsuits.

Ridley – Indefinite – Place a bet for his team in winning

Burfict: 12 games – Targeting

Hopkins – 6 games – PED

Martavis : Indefinite. Weed

Josh Gordon: 76 games – Weed

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 18, 2022

Not mention Ray Rice. In 2014, he was found guilty after TMZ obtained video footage that showed Rice assaulting then-fiancee Janay Palmer. Rice was originally banned from the NFL for life. After Rice agreed to counseling, the ban was overturned by court. Rice, however, hasn’t played in the NFL for over a decade.

Yes, in Watson’s case, these are allegations; however, while he settled 23 of the lawsuits, two remain. The NFL must ban Watson for life if he’s found guilty, as it did with Rice. The NFL should not hesitate to ban him for life if he is found guilty. This sends a signal that the NFL doesn’t care about what players do on the field, as long as it makes money by selling tickets.

If Watson is reinstated from suspension, fans can expect to boo him even more.

Fans cheer as Deshaun Watson plays for the Browns.

— Demetrius Harvey (@Demetrius82) August 12, 2022

A former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III stated: “I’m sick to all the women out there .”

RG3 on Deshaun Watson suspension “I’m sick for all the women out there” pic.twitter.com/knCy18xTBb

— gifdsports (@gifdsports) August 18, 2022

As reporters asked Watson questions, Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said: “It’s important to remember Deshaun Watson is 26 years old, and he’s a hell of an NFL quarterback.”

In the middle of questions about Deshaun Watson’s behavior, Jimmy Haslam says: “It’s important to remember Deshaun Watson is 26-years old, and he’s a hell of an NFL quarterback.” pic.twitter.com/cIeLtnzkGg

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 18, 2022

In other words, Watson has been unaffected by the suspension, but the owner has not. This was a bad decision by the NFL. He will be back to play against his old team, Houston Texans. There is nothing suspicious about this decision… it sets bad precedents for the league.

Read More