Deshaun Watson received his suspension earlier today, and although he and his team reportedly think it’s too long, to most people, the six games he got wasn’t long enough.
Especially considering he only has to be away from the team for three weeks and gets to continue to practice through all of training camp. He also gets to come back after week 3 of the NFL season.
Watson has the right to appeal, but the NFLPA issued a statement Sunday night saying it would not appeal Robinson’s decision, and called on the NFL to do the same: “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.” According to the CBA, any appeal, either from the NFLPA or the league, “shall be in writing within three business days of the Disciplinary Officer’s decision, and any response to the appeal shall be filed in writing within two business days thereafter. The appeal shall be limited to arguments why, based on the evidentiary record below, the amount of discipline, if any, should be modified.” After that ruling has been made, the CBA says, “The Commissioner or his designee will issue a written decision that will constitute full, final and complete disposition of the dispute and will be binding.”
Watson will lose $345,000 total in game checks from the six-game suspension. It appears he will keep the rest. In addition to Watson’s contract was a disclosure form to address “paragraph 42,” which, in the contract — pertaining specifically to allegations already made — protects Watson from losing any guaranteed money in the event he’s suspended for the 2022 or 2023 seasons while also preventing the Browns from voiding the contract if he were suspended. But the question probably is moot, anyway. The Browns have given every indication they plan to move forward with Watson as their franchise quarterback, according to sources. There’s nothing to suggest that will change now that the Browns have clarity on discipline from the league.
The average NFL fan isn’t happy about any of this, but a good chunk of Browns fans, they’re very happy because the suspension could have been longer.
After practice today, they showed just how happy they were by bombarding Watson with pic and autograph requests which he obliged by a lot of them.
The only thing that matters to them is if Watson can win them games.
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