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Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, after months of declaring he had done nothing wrong, apologized to the women “affected” by his behavior in an interview televised ahead of his preseason debut Friday night. After the game, Watson had nothing to add.
Via ESPN.com’s Jake Trotter, Watson declined to comment on his apologyor to further address the situation.
Watson’s sudden turnaround comes at a time when rumors of a possible settlement with the NFL are rife. Appeals Officer Peter Harvey has yet to make a decision nine days after the league exercised its right under the Collective Bargaining Agreement and Personal Conduct Policy to seek a suspension longer than Judge Sue L. Robinson’s six-game ban. The Directive requires that the appeals process be expedited, but does not provide a time limit for issuing a decision.
As a source explained on Friday, Harvey is delaying the ruling to allow the NFL and the NFL Players Association to work out a compromise.
The league currently holds all cards. However, a settlement would avoid a potential challenge to the suspension in federal court. The NFL may be hoping to avoid arguments that would compare the punishment inflicted on Watson to disciplinary action (or lack thereof) experienced by owners for actual or potential violations. According to the Personal Conduct Policy, owners should be held to a higher standard.
Judge Robinson found that Watson had committed four counts of nonviolent sexual assault. These findings are binding for the appeal process. She also noted that he was not honest with investigators, describing the behavior as “outrageous” and “predatory.”
Watson is reportedly ready to accept an eight-game ban and a $5 million fine. The question is whether he would go higher in either category to resolve the situation – and whether the league will go below the potential 12-game floor.