The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the matter is not public, also said Watson will have to undergo treatment before he can be rehabilitated. The league initially recommended an $8 million fine and asked for a $5 million fine in settlement talks that never materialized, another person involved in the talks told the AP. The NFL’s appeal gives Commissioner Roger Goodell or a designee the power to impose a stiffer penalty. League spokesman Brian McCarthy said it has not yet been determined whether Goodell or someone else will hear the appeal. Former federal judge Sue L. Robinson issued her ruling Monday after Watson was accused by two dozen women in Texas of sexually harassing her during massage treatments while playing for the Houston Texans. In her 16-page report, Robinson described Watson’s behavior as “more outrageous than any previous evaluation by the NFL.” Robinson’s punishment — her first since she was appointed jointly by the league and the NFL players union — falls short of the minimum one-year indefinite suspension the league had requested. So the NFL on Wednesday exercised its right to appeal, according to the collective bargaining agreement. The players’ union has until the end of business on Friday to respond in writing. The union could challenge the decision on appeal in federal court, setting the stage for a protracted battle. McCarthy said there is no timetable for Goodell or his representative to issue a decision. In accordance with the league’s personal conduct policy, the appeal will be processed on an expedited basis. It will also be “limited to consideration of the terms of discipline imposed” and “based on a review of the existing record without reference to evidence or testimony not previously considered.” The policy also states that “the decision of the Commissioner or his designee, which may reverse, reduce, modify or increase discipline previously issued, shall be final and binding on all parties.” This is the first time since the signing of the new CBA in 2020 that the league and the NFLPA have turned to a jointly appointed disciplinary officer to determine violations of the personal conduct policy. In the past, Goodell has served as judge and jury to hand down punishments to players. By appealing, the NFL gives that power back to Goodell, who can choose another person to impose any punishment. A league official told the AP before Watson’s three-day disciplinary hearing ended in June that the NFL wanted to avoid an appeal. But the league moved ahead with one amid backlash from some fans and intense public media pressure. Other factors include Watson’s lack of remorse, which Robinson noted in her report. Watson, who played four seasons with the Texans before leaving last season and then being traded to Cleveland in March, recently settled 23 of 24 lawsuits filed by women who alleged sexual harassment or assault during massage treatments in 2020 and 2021. Two judges in Texas declined to indict Watson on criminal complaints filed by 10 of the women. Robinson concluded that Watson violated three provisions of the personal conduct policy: sexual assault; conduct that poses a real risk to the safety and well-being of another person; and conduct that undermines or jeopardizes the integrity of the NFL. He declined to suspend Watson for a full year based on precedent and current league policy. But Robinson concluded that a longer suspension could be justified if it was already outlined in the personal conduct policy. “While it may be entirely appropriate to punish players more severely for non-violent sexual conduct, I do not believe it is appropriate to do so without warning of the extraordinary change this position portends for the NFL and its players,” Robinson wrote . report. Watson has continued to practice with the Browns pending the resolution of his case, which has raised questions about the handling of player behavior off the field, inconsistencies in the personal conduct policy and overall support for women. The Browns have also been in limbo, not knowing when or if Watson will be able to play this season. Cleveland traded three first-round picks to Houston for the three-time Pro Bowl QB and signed him to a five-year, $230 million contract. Watson will only lose $345,000 if the suspension stands because his base salary this season is $1.035 million. Watson did not comment to the AP when asked to react to the league’s decision to appeal. He was then escorted inside the Browns facility by a member of the team’s security staff. The three-time Pro Bowler had just completed Cleveland’s seventh practice of training camp and was still on the field when the league’s notice of appeal was issued. Watson had a chat with Peter Jean-Baptiste, the team’s vice president of communications, before spending a few minutes signing autographs for members of the military and their families. He was hugged by a woman who said she told Watson to “stay strong.” Support for survivors If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted and needs support, those in Canada can find province-specific centres, crisis lines and services. For readers in America, a list of resources and references can be found here.
