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Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, after months of declaring he did nothing wrong, apologized to women “affected” by his behavior in a televised interview before his preseason debut Friday night. After the match, Watson had nothing to add.
Via ESPN.com’s Jake Trotter, Watson declined to comment on his apology or look further into the situation.
Watson’s sudden turnaround comes as rumors swirl of a potential deal with the NFL. Appeals officer Peter Harvey has yet to rule, nine days after the league exercised its right under the Collective Bargaining Agreement and Personal Conduct Policy to seek a longer suspension than the six-game ban imposed by Judge Sue L. Robinson. The policy calls for the appeals process to be expedited, but does not contain a deadline for a decision.
As one source explained Friday, Harvey is delaying the decision to give the NFL and the NFL Players Association a chance to reach a compromise.
The league currently holds all the cards. However, the settlement will avoid a potential challenge to the suspension in federal court. The NFL is likely hoping to avoid arguments that would compare the punishment meted out to Watson with discipline (or lack thereof) experienced by owners for actual or potential violations. Under the Personal Conduct Policy, owners are supposed to be held to a higher standard.
Judge Robinson found that Watson had committed four counts of non-violent sexual assault. These findings are binding on the appeals process. She also found he had not been forthcoming with investigators and she described the behavior as “insensitive” and “predatory”.
Watson is reportedly willing to accept an eight-game suspension and a $5 million fine. The question is whether he will go higher in either category to resolve the situation — and whether the league will fall below the potential 12-game threshold.
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