Judge Sue Robinson recommends 6 game suspension for Watson; NFL will appeal

[Augie]

4 minutes ago, Scott7975 said:

And the money to pay off all the lawsuits. 

 

Now, what happens if another dozen or so pop up next week, or next month? THAT, to me, is why this is so tricky. The Browns and the NFL get dragged thru the mud again not knowing if/when it’s finally over. 

[plenzmd1]

11 minutes ago, Virgil said:

I sadly think this is exactly what the NFL wanted.  They can now wash their hands of the situation and attempt to look like the good guys.  They let a 3rd party female decide on the outcome and now they can appeal as a sign of “outrage.”

 

The whole punishment process needs to be re-evaluated.  I know the NFLPA has to fight for their guys no matter what, but I wish the NFL would have given Watson the indefinite suspension like Garret and make him earn his way back. I would love to have seen the NFLPA publicly try to fight back and justify Watson’s actions. 
 

The whole thing sucks. The end result is that Watson ends up in a better situation, more money, and a free 6 week vacation.  Pathetic. 

This process is the result of a “ revaluation “ process of Rodger being judge and executioner. Both parties wanted an outside voice , and I am sure they are incredulous that this outside judge went so light. 
 

will see if the NFL “ appeals “‘. Appeal essentially meaning the NFL has the right to throw out the decision and impose their own decision based on the findings of the judge. She agreed the NFL proved their case. Just said precedent on suspensions warranted 6 games. 
 

 

[Scott7975]

1 minute ago, Augie said:

 

Now, what happens if another dozen or so pop up next week, or next month? THAT, to me, is why this is so tricky. The Browns and the NFL get dragged thru the mud again not knowing if/when it’s finally over. 

I honestly don’t think there will be more unless Watson continues his disgusting behavior. I think anyone that was going to be involved in suits has already done so

[Augie]

8 minutes ago, Scott7975 said:

I honestly don’t think there will be more unless Watson continues his disgusting behavior. I think anyone that was going to be involved in suits has already done so

 

Probably true. Probably. However, now that a price has been set, there is no ruling out some additional women coming forward for their checks. It’s not Ray Rice in a single event, and even that they got wrong when the video came out. How did they set a punishment before knowing of the video? Wouldn’t that be one of the first things they would go looking for? 

 

I would not be shocked if someone else came forward, because I’m pretty certain these were NOT the only cases of this behavior. 

[Scott7975]

9 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

Probably true. Probably. However, now that a price has been set, there is no ruling out some additional women coming forward for their checks. It’s not Ray Rice in a single event, and even that they got wrong when the video came out. How did they set a punishment before knowing of the video? Wouldn’t that be one of the first things they would go looking for? 

 

I would not be shocked if someone else came forward, because I’m pretty certain these were NOT the only cases of this behavior. 

im sure they aren’t the only people either. He has obviously been like this for a while and it unfortunately will probably still continue because he has a problem 

 

my guess is the NFL will probably stand by the decision and then make new policy going forward for stiffer punishment if it happens again for any NFL player. 
 

the thing is it’s human nature to forget. It’s horrible. I don’t think he should ever play again but it’s the way the world works. That’s why companies like sugar, DuPont, mosanto, big tobacco, nestle, sackler family, etc still remain. Still remain wealthy. Never do jail time. Still poison us. People forget. 

Edited August 1, 2022 by Scott7975

[cle23]

1 hour ago, Augie said:

 

Interesting, but not surprising, that they made a point of including Dee Haslam on that. I’d never heard of her before, but you want support from the female on this one. 

 

To be fair,  she is pretty involved year round.  But I am sure that having her listed 1st was intentional.

[Don Otreply]

8 hours ago, IronMaidenBills said:

But I don’t get it then. If you all feel this way, how can you even be posting here and supporting the Bills. The Bills are the NFL. People who continue to support the Bills and hold this view seems severely hypocritical. 

All people are hypocritical, some are notably scummier about their hypocrisy…,

[YoloinOhio]

1 hour ago, plenzmd1 said:

Using the word “ triggered”. Are you chitin me? Where is there PR head? What an awful to use in this situation. 
 

Triggered? Man , I know this guy a hell of a businessman, but holy hell he is troglodyte. 

It tells you all you need to know about the Haslams

 

 

[Scott7975]

6 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

It tells you all you need to know about the Haslams

 

 

scumbags probably think signing a settlement check is showing remorse because he hasn’t shown any. To show remorse you first have to show that you realize what you did was wrong. Watkins hasn’t even shown that. 

[machine gun kelly]

It will get increased once the league takes the temperature over the next three days.  They’ll see what the climate is saying and the PA gets to say we accept the punishment.

 

How much do you want to bet this will be anything from 8 to 17 games.  He looks like a hardwars and the league wins.

[eball]

Given the language in Robinson's decision, Roger can now lay the hammer down.  I won't be surprised one bit if this becomes a full 1-year suspension.

 

[KDIGGZ]

On Nov 20 I want the Bills to have the NFL's 2nd ever perfect game and beat the Browns 69-0 and Watson has a season ending injury and then gets pelted by no less than 20 billdos on the way off the field in the golf cart. Karma. The end!

[FireChans]

7 hours ago, H2o said:

Depends on your moral standards I guess. Soliciting massages from 66 different women and having 24 file sexual assault claims is pretty bad on the league imo, regardless of how many he settled out of court. 

Not even close to fixing games.

[cle23]

51 minutes ago, eball said:

Given the language in Robinson's decision, Roger can now lay the hammer down.  I won't be surprised one bit if this becomes a full 1-year suspension.

 

 

If he goes from 6 to 17, the NFLPA will sue. Owners getting nothing and Watson gets 17? Also, I can't imagine the 1st case by the neutral judge getting almost tripled.

 

I think it'll stay at 6 with a hefty fine attached. 

[Mr. WEO]

1 hour ago, cle23 said:

 

To be fair,  she is pretty involved year round.  But I am sure that having her listed 1st was intentional.

 

She never had a problem with her husband ripping off truckers for decades to make the 2 of them rich.  She's a scumbag as well---of course she wants her new QB out there earning all that  money money that are paying ASAP.  

[H2o]

46 minutes ago, FireChans said:

Not even close to fixing games.

He didn't even bet on his own team. It's not fixing games. The perversions and assaults of Watson however, how he was enabled by the Texans, and how the league has handled it has been a complete 💩 show. 

[GoBills808]

2 hours ago, Augie said:

 

Probably true. Probably. However, now that a price has been set, there is no ruling out some additional women coming forward for their checks. It’s not Ray Rice in a single event, and even that they got wrong when the video came out. How did they set a punishment before knowing of the video? Wouldn’t that be one of the first things they would go looking for? 

 

I would not be shocked if someone else came forward, because I’m pretty certain these were NOT the only cases of this behavior. 

'Some additional women coming forward for their checks?'

[K-9]

1 hour ago, eball said:

Given the language in Robinson's decision, Roger can now lay the hammer down.  I won't be surprised one bit if this becomes a full 1-year suspension.

 

Not sure it will be a year, but Robinson certainly opened the door for Goodell with her own language in the ruling. 

[Freddie's Dead]

1 hour ago, KDIGGZ said:

On Nov 20 I want the Bills to have the NFL's 2nd ever perfect game and beat the Browns 69-0 and Watson has a season career ending injury and then gets pelted by no less than 20 billdos on the way off the field in the golf cart. Karma. The end!

 

FTFY.

[SydneyBillsFan]

11 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Those massages are going to be awkward as ***** from now on. 

 

If it were up to me, he would be assigned a single massage therapist.

 

Someone like Edward Scissorhands.

 

[NoSaint]

2 hours ago, eball said:

Given the language in Robinson's decision, Roger can now lay the hammer down.  I won't be surprised one bit if this becomes a full 1-year suspension.

 

roger does not want to be in court discussing krafts incident now does he?

[BigDingus]

How can the judge say -

 

"...this is the most significant punishment ever imposed on an NFL player for allegations of non-violent sexual conduct, Mr. Watson’s pattern of conduct is MORE EGREGIOUS THAN ANY BEFORE reviewed by the NFL.”'

 

Then she goes on to recommend only a 6 game suspension? If this is more egregious than ANY before, how did someone get suspended an entire season for gambling or smoking weed? 

"Special thanks to Mr. Watson for only sexually assaulting these women non-violently, & therefore I recommend only 6 games for showing such restraint!" 🤔

[RiotAct]

we’re going to tee off on this clown November 20th.

[CincyBillsFan]

38 minutes ago, BigDingus said:

How can the judge say -

 

"...this is the most significant punishment ever imposed on an NFL player for allegations of non-violent sexual conduct, Mr. Watson’s pattern of conduct is MORE EGREGIOUS THAN ANY BEFORE reviewed by the NFL.”'

 

Then she goes on to recommend only a 6 game suspension? If this is more egregious than ANY before, how did someone get suspended an entire season for gambling or smoking weed? 

"Special thanks to Mr. Watson for only sexually assaulting these women non-violently, & therefore I recommend only 6 games for showing such restraint!" 🤔

One of the guys on the Sirius NFL network broadcast made a good point today. He said that the judge may have thought she was giving Watson a harsh penalty. 

 

IMO Colin Cowherd got it right (video liked to earlier in this thread).

 

 

[CincyBillsFan]

2 hours ago, cle23 said:

 

If he goes from 6 to 17, the NFLPA will sue. Owners getting nothing and Watson gets 17? Also, I can't imagine the 1st case by the neutral judge getting almost tripled.

 

I think it'll stay at 6 with a hefty fine attached. 

I suspect that Roger will quote the judges language heavily focusing on the "egregious" nature of the acts and then cite the NFL's commitment to bringing women into the fold and state that Watson's actions has damaged the leagues reputation and efforts to meet their key business goal of attracting female fans. He'll then raise the suspension to 12 games with a hefty fine.

 

The NFLPA would have to think long and hard about the optics of challenging that kind of ruling.

 

 

 

[HappyDays]

3 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

It tells you all you need to know about the Haslams

 

 

 

And in fact Sue Robinson in her decision points out that Watson has expressed zero remorse for his actions and used this as a point against him. The guy has never once taken any responsibility, not a simple apology, nothing.

[chongli]

26 minutes ago, RiotAct said:

we’re going to tee off on this clown November 20th.

 

I have to admit I'm a little worried. This clown beat us in the 2019 playoffs, coming back from a 16-0 deficit. We're playing at home though, so this will help. I do think we will win though.

[chongli]

I was listening to a weekend radio show on Fox Sports Radio on Sunday. On Cleveland fans cheerfully welcoming Deshaun Watson at camp, this host [don't know who it was] he said you have to separate the artist from the art. He said lots of classic artists painted magnificent works, but they did many bad things in their lives. He said the same was true for this country's founding fathers. I'm not saying I agree with him, but just reporting what I heard. [Don't shoot the messenger!] I have this feeling Cleveland fans who are holding out will eventually come around, just like with Kobe Bryant and Ben Roethsliberger.

Edited August 2, 2022 by chongli

[Chaos]

13 hours ago, Mango said:

 

This gets parroted a lot and I don't get it. You don't need to be charged with a crime for your employer to fire or suspend you. 

Employers typically fire people.  Suspensions are kind of a wierd concept. 

20 minutes ago, chongli said:

I was listening to a weekend radio show on Fox Sports Radio on Sunday. On Cleveland fans cheerfully welcoming Deshaun Watson at camp, this host [don't know who it was] he said you have to separate the artist from the art. He said lots of classic artists painted magnificent works, but they did many bad things in their lives. He said the same was true for this country's founding fathers. I'm not saying I agree with him, but just reporting what I heard. [Don't shoot the messenger!] I have this feeling Cleveland fans who are holding out will eventually come around, just like with Kobe Bryant and Ben Roethsliberger.

Kobe and Ben are perfect comps. Kudos. 

[YoloinOhio]

Well that settles it!

when oj in your corner you got this 

 

43 minutes ago, chongli said:

 

I have to admit I'm a little worried. This clown beat us in the 2019 playoffs, coming back from a 16-0 deficit. We're playing at home though, so this will help. I do think we will win though.

Our #1 WR was Duke Williams 

 

and we still took them to OT

 

anyway totally different teams on both sides 

[chongli]

13 hours ago, McBean said:

Absolutely freakin disgusting.

 

Gruden pushed out over a freakin email 10+ years ago..Bauer 2 years suspension…Ridley a year ban for a $1500 sports wager.

 

I wonder why he only got 6 games…

 

WAKE UP AMERICA

 

 

 

This is how Mike Florio answered that question:

 

 

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/08/01/making-sense-of-the-deshaun-watson-deandre-hopkins-and-calvin-ridley-suspensions/

 

"How does Watson, who faced 24 lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions, get suspended only six games when Cardinal receiver DeAndre Hopkins was suspended six games for trace amounts of a PED he claims he didn’t know he ingested and Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended a whole season for making $1,500 in parlay wagers?

 

On the surface, the answer is easy. These three players were suspended under three completely different policies: Personal Conduct, PED, and gambling.

There’s a more nuanced explanation. The PED policies and gambling policies go directly to the integrity of the game, whether by cheating in it or betting on it. The Personal Conduct Policy relates to off-duty behavior, conduct that has no connection to the league’s core business interests.

 

The vast majority of American employers don’t, won’t, and can’t police the private lives of their employees. If an employee faces multiple civil lawsuits unrelated to his workplace behavior and/or if he’s investigated but never charged with any crime(s), the employer has no cause to do anything."

[Buffalo716]

15 minutes ago, chongli said:

 

This is how Mike Florio answered that question:

 

 

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/08/01/making-sense-of-the-deshaun-watson-deandre-hopkins-and-calvin-ridley-suspensions/

 

"How does Watson, who faced 24 lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions, get suspended only six games when Cardinal receiver DeAndre Hopkins was suspended six games for trace amounts of a PED he claims he didn’t know he ingested and Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended a whole season for making $1,500 in parlay wagers?

 

On the surface, the answer is easy. These three players were suspended under three completely different policies: Personal Conduct, PED, and gambling.

There’s a more nuanced explanation. The PED policies and gambling policies go directly to the integrity of the game, whether by cheating in it or betting on it. The Personal Conduct Policy relates to off-duty behavior, conduct that has no connection to the league’s core business interests.

 

The vast majority of American employers don’t, won’t, and can’t police the private lives of their employees. If an employee faces multiple civil lawsuits unrelated to his workplace behavior and/or if he’s investigated but never charged with any crime(s), the employer has no cause to do anything."

Yeah but The NFL’s number one job is to protect the shield

 

You don’t need to be convicted or even arrested to be suspended by them..  Conduct detrimental to the NFL is suspendable according to the NFL

 

And you could absolutely lose your job around the country for personal decisions during your private life… Freedom of speech doesnt equal freedom of zero repercussions… People lose their jobs every day because of things they say on the Internet

Edited August 2, 2022 by Buffalo716

[1ManRaid]

1 hour ago, chongli said:

 

I have to admit I'm a little worried. This clown beat us in the 2019 playoffs, coming back from a 16-0 deficit. We're playing at home though, so this will help. I do think we will win though.

 

2022 Bills obliterate the 2019 Texans.  Not even close.  2019 Bills overachieved just to get there in a rebuilding year with a still-developing Allen.

 

It still blows my mind how in McBeane's first three years where they averaged $38m/year in dead cap, they made the playoffs twice including Taylor and Peterman throwing to a WR group of Zay Jones, Deonte Thompson, Jordan Matthews, and Kelvin Benjamin.  Shady carried that team.

[chongli]

24 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

Yeah but The NFL’s number one job is to protect the shield

 

You don’t need to be convicted or even arrested to be suspended by them..  Conduct detrimental to the NFL is suspendable according to the NFL

 

And you could absolutely lose your job around the country for personal decisions during your private life… Freedom of speech doesnt equal freedom of zero repercussions… People lose their jobs every day because of things they say on the Internet

 

Agreed with everything you said. But the NFL's job is also to make money for the owners. Maybe the NFL feels it will make more money with Watson playing than suspending him longer? Not sure. But as someone already mentioned, they probably have crunched the numbers already. We'll learn in a few days.

[What a Tuel]

48 minutes ago, chongli said:

 

This is how Mike Florio answered that question:

 

 

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/08/01/making-sense-of-the-deshaun-watson-deandre-hopkins-and-calvin-ridley-suspensions/

 

"How does Watson, who faced 24 lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions, get suspended only six games when Cardinal receiver DeAndre Hopkins was suspended six games for trace amounts of a PED he claims he didn’t know he ingested and Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended a whole season for making $1,500 in parlay wagers?

 

On the surface, the answer is easy. These three players were suspended under three completely different policies: Personal Conduct, PED, and gambling.

There’s a more nuanced explanation. The PED policies and gambling policies go directly to the integrity of the game, whether by cheating in it or betting on it. The Personal Conduct Policy relates to off-duty behavior, conduct that has no connection to the league’s core business interests.

 

The vast majority of American employers don’t, won’t, and can’t police the private lives of their employees. If an employee faces multiple civil lawsuits unrelated to his workplace behavior and/or if he’s investigated but never charged with any crime(s), the employer has no cause to do anything."

 

Plenty of people get fired for things they do outside of the workplace because they reflect poorly on the workplace. Even speech alone gets people fired due to internet mob pressure if it goes viral enough.

 

So how does this not reflect poorly on the NFL and why do they not have cause to suspend him for as much other offenses that affect the game integrity? 

 

In my opinion you either believe he had wrongdoing and throw the book at him, or you dont believe he did anything and you let him off free. This middle ground is just an absurd stance to take.

[BillsfaninSB]

3 hours ago, SydneyBillsFan said:

 

If it were up to me, he would be assigned a single massage therapist.

 

Someone like Edward Scissorhands.

 

It should be that dude who gave Wilford Brimley massages in the movie  The Natural.

 

If that doesn’t prevent an erection nothing will. 
 

Edited August 2, 2022 by BillsfaninSB

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

2 hours ago, chongli said:

I was listening to a weekend radio show on Fox Sports Radio on Sunday. On Cleveland fans cheerfully welcoming Deshaun Watson at camp, this host [don't know who it was] he said you have to separate the artist from the art. He said lots of classic artists painted magnificent works, but they did many bad things in their lives. He said the same was true for this country's founding fathers. I'm not saying I agree with him, but just reporting what I heard. [Don't shoot the messenger!] I have this feeling Cleveland fans who are holding out will eventually come around, just like with Kobe Bryant and Ben Roethsliberger.

i know a fair amount of Browns fans who are absolutely repulsed by Watson and angry at the team over signing him. It’s a tough spot to be in as a fan of that team.

[FireChans]

48 minutes ago, What a Tuel said:

 

Plenty of people get fired for things they do outside of the workplace because they reflect poorly on the workplace. Even speech alone gets people fired due to internet mob pressure if it goes viral enough.

 

So how does this not reflect poorly on the NFL and why do they not have cause to suspend him for as much other offenses that affect the game integrity? 

 

In my opinion you either believe he had wrongdoing and throw the book at him, or you dont believe he did anything and you let him off free. This middle ground is just an absurd stance to take.

Maybe they could hire an independent third party to evaluate the case and determine a suspension period.

15 hours ago, Mango said:

 

This gets parroted a lot and I don't get it. You don't need to be charged with a crime for your employer to fire or suspend you. 

The NFL doesn’t employ Deshaun Watson, the Browns do and they have 200 million reasons to NOT fire him.

[FireChans]

6 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

It tells you all you need to know about the Haslams

 

 

First thing your lawyers tell you to do is apologize for your crime when they are trying to indict you. Lmao.

[plenzmd1]

4 hours ago, FireChans said:

Maybe they could hire an independent third party to evaluate the case and determine a suspension period.

The NFL doesn’t employ Deshaun Watson, the Browns do and they have 200 million reasons to NOT fire him.

Well, little more complicated than that. The Browns pay him under a contract with clauses and rules that were collectively bargained between the NFLPA and the NFL. So he gets paid by the browns, but covered by the rules of the NFL.    Josh Gordon and Calvin Ridley were paid by their respective teams , but the NFL shut them down with suspensions as well.