Deshaun Watson suspension: Roger Goodell still has final say

By Martin Rogers
FOX Sports activities Columnist

Monday’s resolution on Deshaun Watson – the Cleveland Browns quarterback acquired a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s private conduct coverage – left loads to unpack.

However as soccer tries to make sense of what comes subsequent after the ruling by disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson referring to quite a few allegations of sexual misconduct involving two dozen ladies, nothing is extra placing than this: Commissioner Roger Goodell faces arguably the trickiest, most nuanced and controversial resolution of his tenure.

Goodell is in an unenviable spot that may earn him criticism no matter he does. Such is the character of such issues, and that’s why he makes the massive bucks, however it’s a rocky highway nonetheless.

The NFL didn’t get what it needed from Robinson’s ruling and punishment, which didn’t impose a monetary sanction. She described Watson’s actions as “egregious,” termed his conduct as “non-violent sexual conduct,” mandated him to not obtain massages from anybody besides team-approved personnel and imposed different behavioral expectations.

Throughout a three-day listening to earlier than Robinson in June, the league pushed for a full-season suspension that will have seen Watson sit out greater than 2.5 years by its conclusion.

In current days, in line with a number of reviews, additional settlement discussions weren’t resolved as a result of the NFL Gamers Affiliation wouldn’t conform to a ban longer than six video games, and the league was steadfast in wanting a minimal of a 12-game ban, together with a hefty fantastic.

If the NFL appeals, and it has three days to take action, the ultimate resolution rests with Goodell. The league’s disciplinary course of was arrange throughout the newest collective bargaining discussions. The NFLPA needed to keep away from conditions the place penalties may very well be meted out to gamers in instances of incomplete or inconclusive proof.

For instance, had Robinson discovered no wrongdoing on the a part of Watson, who has settled 23 of the 24 civil cases towards him, Goodell would not be capable of implement any suspension.

However now, following Robinson’s judgment, Goodell should weigh his personal choices and analyze whether or not to wield his energy. 

If he have been to extend Watson’s ban, it could ship a strong message concerning the NFL’s willpower to take a heavy stance towards sexual misconduct by its gamers.

But when he alters the phrases of the punishment, it’d undermine the method set in place by the CBA and undercut the choice by Robinson – a extremely revered former federal choose with many years of authorized expertise.

“The NFL now should grapple with whether or not Roger Goodell is a extra truthful/correct/applicable arbiter of justice within the Deshaun Watson case than an impartially appointed federal choose who weighed the offered proof for a month,” Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson wrote. “It’s a large query with a consequential reply.”

A sterner stance by Goodell additionally raises the chance that the NFLPA, which strongly urged the NFL to simply accept Robinson’s ruling, may take authorized motion in federal court docket, a step that will lengthen the matter past the beginning of the brand new season, and probably a lot additional.

That threat must be weighed towards the potential P.R. backlash of standing pat. Inside minutes of Robinson’s resolution, social media was evaluating Watson’s ban to the full-season suspension handed to Atlanta Falcons extensive receiver Calvin Ridley for playing on video games.

“I might be really shocked if the NFL merely accepts this and strikes on,” FS1’s Nick Wright mentioned, on “First Issues First.” “I believe it’s going to be extremely troublesome for the NFL to not up this considerably. Will they up it to the total season they requested for? Perhaps not. However I believe they will up it, sure.”

Watson’s popularity has taken a monumental hit. All the state of affairs has been a totally disagreeable story, and the optics of a participant underneath investigation for inappropriate actions towards ladies receiving the largest contract in NFL historical past have been removed from supreme.

The Browns took their shot and received their man. From their standpoint, a six-game penalty is on essentially the most favorable facet of what may have been realistically anticipated, even with the NFLPA’s having argued for zero video games.

As a result of Watson was not suspended for a full season, he was on the coaching facility Monday and might proceed as a part of Cleveland’s preseason plans. He will even be capable of be a part of the squad in Week 4 for apply forward of a possible Week 7 return on the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 23.

Till then, there may be extra to unfold. Monday’s information just isn’t essentially the ultimate step. All that actually occurred was that the matter reached a vital crossroads.

And Goodell is standing at that exact spot, realizing the following transfer is on him.

Martin Rogers is a columnist for FOX Sports activities and the writer of the FOX Sports activities Insider e-newsletter. You can subscribe to the day by day e-newsletter right here.

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