Why is Browns’ Deshaun Watson planning to sue the NFL in federal court?
As Judge Sue Robinson’s ruling is awaited, Deshaun Watson has already decided he will sue the NFL if they suspend him, but what grounds does he have?
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was accused of sexual assault by several different women, is awaiting the verdict by Judge Sue Robinson on whether he will be suspended, and for how long. On Friday, the Houston Texans (Watson’s former team) and the 30 women who accused the team of turning a blind eye to the assaults, settled the claims.
The decision may have to wait until the start of the Browns’ training camp, July 26, as Robinson is giving the NFL and Watson the opportunity to settle on a suspension length. The NFL is pushing for the suspension of one whole season, but they first await the decision by Robinson on whether or not Watson violated the league’s personal conduct policy.
If the NFL is satisfied with Robinson’s decision on how long to suspend Watson, then it will stand. If they are not, they can appeal the decision and push for a longer suspension for Watson. (Remember that it’s also possible that Robinson decides Watson has not violated the league’s policy at all, and is fine to play.) Whatever the decision, Watson is already prepared to sue the NFL if they do enact a year-long suspension. That is, whether the NFL appeals for it or Robinson’s initial ruling decides it.
The argument that Watson and his legal team are making against the NFL if they rule a one-year suspension is that the league did not apply those same standards to owners Robert Kraft, Daniel Snyder, and Jerry Jones. Some may say this is a weak argument, but that’s never stopped anyone from suing before.