Browns Release Statement After Deshaun Watson Suspension Decision

Editor’s note: This story contains accounts of sexual assault. If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or at https://www.rainn.org

Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam have issued a statement in the wake of Deshaun Watson’s final discipline for alleged sexual misconduct being announced, saying in part “We understand this is a real opportunity to create meaningful change.”

“As we have previously conveyed, Deshaun and his representatives have abided by the NFL and NFLPA structure awaiting a final decision and we have respected the process,” the statement read. “Now that a decision on discipline has been reached, we understand this is a real opportunity to create meaningful change and we are committed to investing in programs in Northeast Ohio that will educate our youth regarding awareness, understanding, and most importantly, prevention of sexual misconduct and the many underlying causes of such behavior. 

“Since Deshaun entered our building, he has been an outstanding member of our organization and shown a true dedication to working on himself both on and off the field. We will continue to support him as he focuses on earning the trust of our community.”

The league had appealed disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson’s six-game suspension. As Roger Goodell’s designee, former New Jersey Attorney General Peter C. Harvey was working to determine his own ruling while Watson’s camp and the NFL reportedly conducted settlement talks, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano.

The NFL and NFLPA on Thursday finalized an agreement to suspend Watson for 11 games and issue him a $5 million fine. 

Watson also must undergo counseling, according to the settlement. This final decision comes in the wake of the quarterback playing in the team’s first preseason game, at Jacksonville, and saying he is “truly sorry to all of the women that [he has] impacted in this situation.” On Thursday, Watson released a statement following the suspension news.

Goodell reportedly wanted Watson to be suspended for at least one year, calling Watson’s behavior “egregious” and “predatory.” The Associated Press reported last week that the quarterback was willing to accept an eight-game suspension and a $5 million fine.

Following the initial six-game suspension by Robinson, the Haslams released a statement on the matter, saying in part, “We know Deshaun is remorseful that this situation has caused much heartache to many and he will continue the work needed to show who he is on and off the field, and we will continue to support him.”

The league’s investigation began last year as numerous Houston-area massage therapists sued the quarterback alleging sexual harassment and sexual assault. From March 2021 to June ’22, more than two dozen lawsuits were filed, with only one dropped due to privacy concerns in April ’21. The accounts range from Watson refusing to cover his genitals during massage sessions to the quarterback “touching [a plaintiff] with his penis and trying to force her to perform oral sex on him.”

At one point, Watson faced two Texas grand juries, both of which declined to indict him on criminal charges this spring. Shortly after a Harris County grand jury returned nine “no” bills on nine criminal complaints against Watson, Cleveland traded for and signed the quarterback to a five-year contract worth a guaranteed $230 million.

Watson agreed to settle 20 of the 24 remaining active lawsuits in late June, and those cases have since been disposed, per the Harris County District Clerk’s website. Watson reportedly agreed to settle three of the other four suits ahead of Robinson’s disciplinary decision.