FOOTBALL

Cleveland Browns Quarterback Deshaun Watson Suspended 11 Games, Fined

Aug 18, 2022, 9:07 AM | Updated: 9:28 am

Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to a football game against the Jacksonvill...

JACKSONVILLE, FL - AUGUST 12: Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns warms up prior to a football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on August 12, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

(Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

Deshaun Watson won’t miss the entire 2022 NFL season.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and later confirmed by the league, the Cleveland Browns quarterback is suspended for 11 games. This comes following an agreement between the NFL and the NFL Players Association [NFLPA].

Watson is also expected to pay a $5 fine. Watson’s fine, plus $1 million contributions from both the NFL and Cleveland Browns will create a fund to support non-profit organizations that work to educate people on healthy relationships and prevent sexual misconduct and assault.

“Deshaun has committed to doing the hard work on himself that is necessary for his return to the NFL,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a press release.

 

 

Initially, Deshaun Watson was given a six-game suspension for violations of the NFL’s personal conduct policy by Judge Sue. L Robinson. The NFL appealed that ruling and NFL commissioner Roger Goddell named Peter Harvey, a former New Jersey attorney general, to lead the appeal. The settlement between the two sides prevents Harvey from hearing the appeal.

Watson was accused of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage therapy sessions as a member of the Houston Texans. The 26-year-old quarterback has denied any wrongdoing and has not been criminally charged for the accusations levied against him. Earlier this summer, Watson reached settlements with 20 of the 24 women who accused him of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions. The day Judge Robinson’s initial decision was released, three of the four remaining civil cases against Watson were settled.

During the offseason, Watson was traded from the Texans to the Browns. He then signed a five-year, $230 million extension with his new team.

Newsletter

Football

Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during warmups before the game against the Se...

Amiliano Fragoso

Arik Armstead reveals 49ers asked him to take $12 million pay cut

Arik Armstead broke the silence on his 49ers departure Thursday, stating that he felt disrespected by their contract offer this offseason.

8 hours ago

Defensive end Arik Armstead #91 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on against the Los Angeles Rams du...

Amiliano Fragoso

Post-June 1st Designation: How does it work in the NFL?

The Post-June 1st Designation has been a widely used method of salary cap maneuvering by NFL teams this offseason. Here's how it works.

12 hours ago

Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a touchdown pass during the third quarter a...

Amiliano Fragoso

Shanahan raves about Brock Purdy as 49ers prepare for extension after 2024

The 49ers appear to be preparing for a massive Brock Purdy contract extension, something SF isn't shy about paying for the right guy.

1 day ago

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball after a...

Amiliano Fragoso

Shanahan looking to get Brandon Aiyuk extension done ‘sooner than later’

Kyle Shanahan seemed optimistic about a long-term extension for Brandon Aiyuk, hoping to get pen to paper done as a soon as possible.

1 day ago

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Jayden Daniels #5 of the LSU Tigers looks on during the ReliaQuest Bow...

Joseph Jarosz

Report: Raiders scheduled to meet with LSU QB Jayden Daniels

According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Raiders are one of six teams to schedule meetings with LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.

2 days ago

Arik Armstead #91 looks on during San Francisco 49ers practice ahead of Super Bowl LVIII at Fertitt...

Amiliano Fragoso

49ers GM John Lynch says Arik Armstead departure was a tough decision

John Lynch went through the Arik Armstead process with the media this week, explaining how happy he is that one of their own got a new deal.

2 days ago

Cleveland Browns Quarterback Deshaun Watson Suspended 11 Games, Fined