[Original story, published at 3 p.m. ET] Appearing on ESPN’s “First Take,” attorney Tony Buzbee attacked the investigation, saying he hopes the NFL will appeal the case, but his clients are outraged and disappointed by the lenient suspension handed down by a disciplinary officer. “Don’t expect the NFL to do anything heroic here,” Buzbee said.
Watson was suspended Monday for six games without pay for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy in private meetings with massage therapists, according to a ruling by a retired federal judge appointed jointly by the NFL and the NFL Players Association.
Watson has repeatedly denied the allegations. “I have never assaulted, I have never disrespected and I have never harassed any woman in my life,” Watson said. “I have no regrets.” Two Texas courts declined to charge Watson with any crimes. Twenty-four civil lawsuits have been filed against Watson — 23 were settled confidentially. Both the NFL and the NFL Player’s Association (NFLPA) have until Thursday to appeal the suspension to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The NFL said it is reviewing Judge Sue Robinson’s decision and will decide on its next steps. The Players’ Association has already said it will not appeal. An appeal by either party would be heard by Goodell, with his decision — or his representative’s — considered final, according to the 2020 collective bargaining agreement. Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, told CNN he would not comment until after the NFL decides whether to appeal. Judge Robinson, who was appointed jointly by the NFL and the NFLPA, said she was suspending the 26-year-old for his “predatory conduct.” “While this is the most significant punishment ever imposed on an NFL player for allegations of nonviolent sexual conduct, Mr. Watson’s pattern of conduct is more egregious than any previously reviewed by the NFL,” Robinson wrote in the 16-page decision. But despite those findings, Judge Robinson criticized the NFL for seeking an unprecedented full-season suspension, which would have been much longer than other players accused of non-violent sexual conduct. On Tuesday, Buzbee — the attorney for the plaintiffs in the case against Watson — told ESPN he hopes the NFL moves forward with an appeal because that gesture will be well received by the accusers. “I think that would change the messaging and I think it would be well received by the women that I represent,” she said. “We’ll see what the NFL does going forward.” In her findings, Robinson wrote that her decision is limited by the record presented to her by NFL investigators, who are former prosecutors with decades of experience investigating sexual assault cases. It noted that Watson had “worked with more than 60 massage therapists” during the period under review and that the NFL had “only investigated the claims of the 24 massage therapists who sued Mr. Watson for damages.” And of the 24, Robinson wrote that the NFL was only able to interview 12 alleged victims. They relied on the testimony of four of the 12 in the case presented to her for review.
Buzbee attacked the way the investigation was conducted. “None of my clients testified before the federal judge. I think it’s a common misconception that four people testified. That’s not the case. None of them showed up. None of them were subpoenaed to appear and testify,” he said. he said. “Since those interviews, we’ve had absolutely no contact with the NFL. “They care about the bottom line. They care about making money,” Buzbee told ESPN. “They’re trying to manage this as a public relations crisis, but in terms of trying to do anything to appease these particular women or women’s rights — or deal with women’s rights in general — that’s not part of the statement. mission and we have made that clear throughout this process.” On Tuesday, the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center said it was “disappointed” by the decision to suspend Watson for only six games. “The suspension of the 6 games given dangerously reflects the flaws in our criminal justice systems and sends a serious message to our communities,” the organization said in a statement to CNN on Tuesday. “Too often those in positions of power and celebrities who commit violence against others are not held accountable for their actions. “These ongoing headlines cause so many. To the survivors, we see you and we believe you. Your story matters. The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is available 24/7/365 online or by calling (216) 619-6192 .” The ruling comes after a number of women who worked as massage therapists filed a lawsuit against Watson alleging they were sexually assaulted or misbehaved during massage sessions. Last month, 30 women who had filed or intended to file claims against the Texans organization over Watson’s alleged misconduct settled their claims, according to a statement from Buzbee and Texans ownership. Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler, did not play last season while a member of the Houston Texans because of a trade demand as well as the investigations into those allegations. Days later, the Browns traded three first-round picks for Watson, then signed him to a five-year, $230 million contract, the most guaranteed money in NFL history. Watson will not be paid during his suspension, but the Browns structured his new contract so that his base salary will be $690,000 in his first year and then $46 million for each of the next four years.