Looks like the final verdict of Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s punishment has been reached.
Originally, Watson was only suspended for six games for the upcoming season, for violating the league’s personal conduct policy after he was accused by 25 women over the past two years for sexual assault.
The six game suspension caused an uproar amongst the NFL, and NFL fans alike, saying that the penalty was not nearly harsh enough considering the allegations that were being thrown at him.
Not to mention, former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley was banned from the league for a year after it was discovered that he had placed a bet on his own team while he was stepping away from the game for a period of time.
So, the NFL appealed the final verdict, sending out the following statement:
“Under the 2020 NFL-NFLPA CBA, the factual findings of the Disciplinary Officer are binding and may not be appealed.
Judge Robinson found that Mr. Watson violated the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy on multiple occasions and suspended him for six games.
The CBA affords the NFL or NFLPA the right to appeal the discipline imposed by the Disciplinary Officer.”
With that being said, the NFL’s appeal was successful, and Watson is now facing an 11 game suspension, and will have to pay a $5 million fine, according to ESPN.
The ruling came from New Jersey attorney general Peter C. Harvey, who NFL commissioner Roger Goodell chose to oversee the NFL’s appeal of disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson, who initially made the call on Watson’s six game suspension.
