Cleveland Browns new star quarterback Deshaun Watson has been suspended 11 games due to sexual misconduct. Along with Watson’s 11 game suspension comes a 5 Million Dollar fine as well.
Deshaun was accused by over two dozen women of sexual misconduct while getting treatment massages. Watson will also have to go to mandatory evaluation and listen to treatment programs that are suggested to him.
ESPN also states that 2 million dollars from Watson’s suspension will go towards creating a fund to support non-profit foundations across the U.S. These non-profits will begin to educate young people about healthy relationship types, teach them about sexual misconduct, and encourage education towards these young minds. If Watson complies and shows improvement and change there is a chance the suspension can be cut shorter.
After Watson was questioned about why he had accepted the fine even after pleading innocent throughout all the charges and publicly expressing he was innocent, he felt that since he knows he’s innocent then he needs to move on with his life and his career.
The settlement with the NFL was less than the full year suspension that the NFl wanted for Watson. This was a huge deal because it is the highest suspension for someone who was never charged with a crime.
Watson’s initial suspension was for six games and one million dollars. But after the NFL’s Player Association and a third party it was nearly doubled for bringing a bad image to the NFL.
Along with the suspension Watson must receive clinical treatment to insure he is on the right path mentally. Watson Must also get approved by the team officials to have safe massage appointments with approved massage therapists as well. This protocol must continue for as long as Watson’s career lasts.
10 days following Watson’s suspension he had to undergo a professional evaluation to determine the right action plan for him. These specific plans are kept secret due to privacy laws. Leaked information from an NFL official stated that it isn’t counseling and is actual treatment.
When asked about the treatment Watson did not consider it a punishment. Watson is taking it as a helpful activity to help him. In order to be on track a clinician must mark him down as “on the right path.”