The conclusion to Deshaun Watson’s two-year-plus long suspension case has finally been resolved by Judge Sue Robinson, the NFL’s private arbitrator in this case. She decided to rule that Watson should be suspended for the first six games of the 2022/23 season…to the great appeasement of everyone. Haha, just kidding. Everyone is in uproar (whether they believe or don’t believe Watson’s denials) over this ruling.
This case was always going to be a tricky prosecution for the NFL. First, everyone knew they wanted to suspend Watson for, a minimum, of 1 year (and it probably could have been more with some Commissioner’s discretion/indefinite suspension nonsense; that’s just what Roger Goodell does).
Second, Watson, Cleveland, and the NFLPA stacked the deck in their favor from the start. Cleveland and Watson’s contract agreement made it so that any potential fine/suspension handed down on Watson would have as little financial impact on the quarterback as possible. Meanwhile, the NFLPA made it known that if the NFL handed down a1 year+ long suspension, they would sue and appeal the league into oblivion.
So, the NFL made the right choice in appointing Judge Sue Robinson as the arbitrator for this case. However, what Roger Goodell and his cronies at the league offices should have realized is that a judge make decisions on their cases by observing precedent and history. Did the league forget they have the worst suspension-consistency history across the four major sports leagues in North America?
Now, seeing as 23/24 cases against Deshaun Watson have either been dropped or settled, I really don’t know if the quarterback is guilty or innocent. All of these dropped cases and settlements leads me to believe that there is some truth into what these women were saying, while there is also some truth in Deshaun Watson’s denials. Yet, Judge Robinson has stated that she found enough evidence to bring a trial against Watson if these were criminal cases.
Nevertheless, Judge Robinson also indicated in her judgment report that the NFL has a horrible consistency record with its player suspensions, which is the reason why she only chose a 6-game suspension.
As Sue Robinson stated, “It is inherently unfair to identify conduct as prohibited only after the conduct has been committed, just as it is inherently unfair to change the penalties for such conduct after the fact.” This is a direct condemnation of Roger Goodell and his suspension arbitrators at the league office for their years of misuse of the NFL’s suspension laws and regulations.
How can the NFL really think they can suspend Deshaun Watson for a year, when they suspend Jameis Winston and Ben Roethlisberger for only three games for the same accusations? Are they really that dumb and hypocritical? I’m not even a Deshaun Watson fan, and I can see how unfair a 1-year suspension for Watson looks considering the two other cases.
Goodell just seems like some arbitrary tyrant making up suspensions for players and clubs that he doesn’t like. Moreover, where is Dan Snyder’s suspension? The very hierarchy of the Washington Commanders organization has been accused of gross misconduct and is currently under a Congressional investigation.
Why did they only fine the Commanders a paltry $10M and not indefinitely suspended Snyder? Something with Goodell, the NFL’s officers, and the blatant favoritism they show to some players/teams over others is not adding up. I hope this Jon Gruden-email investigation/lawsuit finally boots Goodell from the NFL. He’s been an arbitrary tyrant that’s favored some teams/players and hurt others from the start.
Even though Judge Robinson has suspended Watson for 6-games, this story is far from over. The NFL now has a three-day period to appeal the ruling, which they may or may not do. I am guessing this case will only get more complicated.
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