BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns Kevin Stefanski, coach of the team, said Friday that they are waiting to see what the NFL’s appeal does. Deshaun WatsonThe suspension of six games was before the team changed its plans to play quarterback in practice.
Watson has been the most active player in training camp to this point. Jacoby Brissett Most of his work was with the second group.
Stefanski stated before Friday’s practice that “we’ll just kinda wait clarity on the situation.” “Just keep doing what we are doing.”
Stefanski spoke first since the NFL on Wednesday announced that it was appealing the decision of Sue L. Robinson, a former federal Judge, regarding a harsher penalty for violating the personal conduct policy.
“The appeal by the NFL addresses whether, based upon the findings of Judge Robinson, the discipline should change to include a professional assessment and treatment as determined medical experts, an appropriate penalty, and a longer suspension,” said the league in a statement.
The NFL announced on Thursday that Roger Goodell, former New Jersey Attorney general, had appointed Peter C. Harvey as the hearing officer. Harvey is currently a partner in the Patterson Belknap law firm in New York. Harvey is also a former federal prosecutor. He is also a member on the NFL’s diversity committee that reviews the league’s diversity. Harvey also served as Goodell’s designee in arbitrations. Harvey was one the four members on an expert panel which reviewed the league’s domestic abuse investigation in 2017. Dallas Cowboys Running back Ezekiel ElliottSix games were suspended for violating conduct policy.
Harvey will hear the appeal in his own time. It must be completed within a reasonable time frame, as per the league’s personal conduct policy. Harvey’s written decision, as per the CBA, “will constitute the full, final, and complete disposition of any dispute and will be binding upon all parties to this Agreement, including the Club(s), player(s), and other players.”
Friday was Cleveland All-Pro right guard Wyatt Teller Browns players admitted that they are ready to resolve the issue of Watson’s availability during the season.
“Yes, that’s right. He stated that we want to know the facts and get on top of it. “I think that if a team was in that position, that’s exactly what they would want.”
In civil lawsuits brought by 25 women, Watson was accused of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions. The lawsuits allege that Watson had sex with the victims between March 2020 and March 2021. Watson was part of the plaintiffs’ team. Houston Texans. Watson was not available for the Texans’ last season after requesting a Houston trade earlier in the offseason.
Robinson explained that the NFL was responsible for proving, by a preponderance, that Watson had committed sexual assault (as defined in the NFL) against four of the therapists named in the Report.
Robinson however pointed out flaws within the league’s guidelines on player misconduct when she imposed Robinson’s suspension. This limited her authority to punish Robinson.
Robinson relied on precedent to distinguish between violent and nonviolent sex conduct. Robinson concluded that Watson’s behavior “doesn’t fall within the category of violent misconduct that would require the minimum 6-game suspension” that the league has established as the “most commonly-imposed discipline for domestic violence or gendered acts and sexual acts.”
In March, the Browns traded Watson to Texas for three draft picks in the first round. Watson was then given a five-year contract by Cleveland, which was the most lucrative in NFL history.
Stefanski has not yet indicated whether Watson will play or start in Cleveland’s preseason opener next Friday, in Jacksonville.
Stefanski stated, “We have to get Deshaun ready for football. He hasn’t played football for a year.” “We need to get Jacoby ready, he may be starting early and playing for us. We’re counting on him. We’re going to make use of every opportunity that we have, whether it be individual drills, practice sessions, or post-practice.