NFL’s Deshaun Watson fined £4.2m and banned for 11 games after sex attack claims

08/19/2022

Get the latest news and deepest insight with our NFL newsletter

We have more newsletters

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been suspended for 11 games and fined $5million (£4.2m) after he was the subject of two dozen sexual assault lawsuits.

The allegations occurred during Watson's spell with the Houston Texans, which caused him to sit out the entire 2021 NFL season. The 26-year-old was cleared of criminal charges by two grand juries in Texas but went on to sign a £174m contract with the Browns in March, one of the largest deals in NFL history.

It was reported in late July that U.S. district judge Sue L. Robinson had issued Watson a six-game ban with no additional fine. However, the NFL's subsequent appeal against that punishment has seen his suspension almost double, meaning he won't make his Browns debut until November 28 at the earliest.

READ MORE: NFL star lands record £174m contract after being accused of sexually assaulting 22 women

As fate would have it, the first game Watson will be eligible to play comes against his former employers, Houston, on December 4. The Browns ended an 18-year stretch without a play-off appearance in 2020 but failed to make the post-season after finishing third in the AFC North last year.

"Deshaun has committed to doing the hard work on himself that is necessary for his return to the NFL," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement. "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 conclusion."

It was highlighted at the time of Watson's provisional 'six-game, no-fine' suspension that his punishment was considerably less than that handed to Calvin Ridley. It was confirmed in March that Atlanta Falcons receiver Ridley will miss the 2022 NFL season and forgo his entire $11.1m (£9m) salary for, as he put it, 'betting $1500 (£1,200) total' while he was out of action last term.

Ridley's suspension is still six games more than Watson's while his fine is worth more than double, and his ban could run even further. By that logic, Watson's violation of the NFL's personal-conduct policy is deemed significantly less egregious.

The NFL announced on Thursday that it and the Browns will also each contribute $1m (£840,000) to a fund in aid against sexual assault and misconduct. "This fund will support the work of non-profit organizations across the country that educate young people on healthy relationships, promote education and prevention of sexual misconduct and assault, support survivors, and related causes," said the sport's ruling body.

It's understood 23 of the 24 sexual assault lawsuits that named Watson have been settled thus far. The three-time Pro Bowl pick is eligible to return to the Browns' training facility on October 10 and can resume practice from November 14.

READ NEXT:

Aaron Rodgers goes full Nicolas Cage 'Con Air' cosplay to leave NFL fans bemused
NFL fans fume at online ticket failure as thousands miss out on London tickets
Aggressive cop who yanked Green Bay Packers star AJ Dillon at City game is probed
NFL star shows off mind-blowing strength as he squats 610 pounds with bar bending

Source: Read Full Article