PITTSBURGH — I nonetheless don’t know what retired federal decide Sue L. Robinson was pondering when she advisable such a shamefully quick suspension of Deshaun Watson.
Look at her writings. Then take a look at her ruling. The two don’t jibe.
Here’s a sampling of what Robinson wrote …
— “I find that the N.F.L. has carried its burden to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Mr. Watson engaged in sexual assault (as defined by the N.F.L.) against the four therapists identified in the report.”
— “Mr. Watson acted with a reckless disregard for the consequences of his actions, which I find equivalent to intentional conduct.”
— “I find the evidence sufficient to demonstrate that Mr. Watson knew, or should have known, that any contact between (his genitals) and those therapists was unwanted.”
— “The N.F.L. has carried its burden to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Mr. Watson’s conduct posed a genuine danger to the safety and well-being of another person.”
If you didn’t but know of Robinson’s ruling, and I learn these bullet factors to you, what would you’ve guessed?
The total season? Indefinite? At least 10-12 video games?
Robinson in some way concluded that six video games was the suitable reply. In her extremely questioned opinion, Watson’s actions had been “non-violent.” She additionally cited NFL precedent of adjudicating such issues, which was odd as a result of the league has been notoriously lenient in these sorts of conditions. There was no wise precedent to reference.
More importantly, the league and its gamers simply hammered out a brand new collective bargaining settlement in March 2020. The collectively appointed Robinson thus had an opportunity to create a brand new precedent.
Instead, she handed the ball again to the NFL after principally confirming its findings — and that’s dangerous information for Watson and the Cleveland Browns.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ought to, and certain will, render Robinson’s resolution a footnote of historical past. And he’ll use her writings to do it. I’m betting that if a settlement of, say, 12 video games and a hefty advantageous can’t be reached, then Goodell will make Watson’s suspension indefinite.
Multiple reviews Wednesday indicated that the league is searching for simply such a suspension. Owners had been furious that the Browns handed Watson $230 million assured and that the deal was written to trigger him little monetary hurt in case of a suspension. The NFL performed it completely by ready. Goodell now has all the pieces he must do no matter he desires as a result of the gamers merely can not convey themselves to tear that energy away from him. They speak so much however cave each time.
So that is the way it works: The homeowners and gamers agreed to third-party arbitration in such issues, then agreed that if both aspect appealed, it could return to Goodell. He might then appoint an individual of his option to make a ruling or deal with it himself.
Sure, the union can have its say after the adjusted resolution. It might search to push the case to federal court docket, which wouldn’t be a reasonably place for the NFL to must air its soiled laundry. But as Audacy.com analyst Amy Trask advised 93.7 The Fan this week, a federal court docket is prone to reject such a case on the grounds that the 2 sides simply agreed on protocol in a current CBA.
In different phrases, why do you want us? You simply labored it out for yourselves.
In the wake of Robinson’s folly, Browns homeowners Dee and Jimmy Haslam issued an announcement indicating they revered her resolution. I’ll guess they did, even when it forged a horrible mild on their new quarterback.
The Haslams additionally stated this: “We know Deshaun is remorseful that this situation has caused much heartache to many.”
Watson has not proven a shred of regret. In reality, Robinson wrote — within the ruling the Haslams declare to respect — that Watson has proven a “lack of expressed remorse.”
Last we heard from Watson, he denied that he has ever mistreated a girl and stated, “I don’t have any regrets.”
I’d hope Robinson has some, however both manner, she made Goodell’s case for him. The stable guess now could be that Deshaun Watson gained’t be taking part in soccer for a very long time.
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