The NFL reported this Wednesday that it will appeal the six-game suspension that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson received from a Disciplinary Committee for sexual misconduct against 21 women.
The league is appealing because the sanction plans expected Watson to be suspended for the entire season 2021.
“The NFL notified the NFLPA (Players Association) that it will appeal the disciplinary decision of official Sue Robinson for which a brief has already been submitted. Commissioner Roger Goodell will determine who will pursue the appeal,” was the league’s message.
On Monday, the Disciplinary Committee appointed by the NFL and the NFLPA, in charge of the former Federal District Judge, Sue Robinson, determined to suspend for six games of the season 2022 to Deshaun Watson.
The Browns quarterback was subjected to this process for the sexual harassment claims he received in March 2021 of 24 women.
Last June 21 Deshaun Watson arrived to confidential settlements with 20 of those 24 women who accused him of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions .
Despite these agreements, the Disciplinary Committee evaluated the case for three days at the end of June; the verdict was a six-game suspension and a ban on the quarterback receiving more therapeutic massages than those performed by his team’s staff.
The NFL will base its appeal on the conclusions reached Sue Robinson after evaluating the evidence presented to the Disciplinary Committee, conclusions that the official presented in a report of 16 pages to the league.
With these arguments provided by Robinson, the league will seek more punishment games for Deshaun Watson, in addition to sanctioning him with a fine.
The appeal process may be chaired by Commissioner Goodell, who also has the option of choosing a mediator to conduct it.
The NFL informed that the appeal will be processed in an expedited manner and the ruling will be issued based on the review of the existing material, so no new evidence or testimony will be allowed.