Sue Robinson’s long-awaited sentencing came Monday, but it may just be part of that saga rather than a conclusion. The NFL and NFLPA have until 8 a.m. CT Thursday to file appeals, via ESPN.com’s Jake Trotter (on Twitter).
Although the NFLPA said it would not appeal Robinson’s decision, the union would be unlikely to withdraw should the NFL appeal. An appeal will be overseen by Roger Goodell or a designated commissioner, as outlined in the 2020 ABC. The NFLPA has committed to taking this matter to court, should Goodell be banned for up to a full season.
An appeal is being considered by the NFL. His statement indicated that a review of Robinson’s sentence is ongoing (Twitter link). While the NFL didn’t make its push for a full-season suspension a secret, the NFLPA is still upset with Robinson’s decision to serve a six-game suspension, according to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson (on Twitter ). The union “firmly maintains[s]Watson should not have been suspended for his alleged sexual assault and/or sexual misconduct against more than 20 women.
In his report, Robinson labeled Watson’s pattern of nonviolent sexual conduct “more egregious than any previously reviewed by the NFL.” Watson had denied all allegations of wrongdoing, but the report states that “it is difficult to give weight to a complete denial when compared to the credible testimony of investigators who interviewed the therapists and other third parties.” Robinson’s sentence also prohibits Watson from seeing a non-team-approved massage therapist for the rest of his career.
Robinson sided with the NFL claiming that Watson violated the personal conduct policy on all three counts (sexual assault, conduct endangering the welfare and safety of an individual, and conduct that undermines the integrity of the NFL ), ESPN.com’s Jake Trotter tweets. The gray area of such non-violent sexual conduct came into play when it came to the six-game suspension, but Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio notes that Robinson’s findings, including a passage he feels are more likely If Watson lied to NFL investigators, he might point. that Goodell has sufficient justification to increase the length of the Browns quarterback’s suspension.
Given the NFL’s push for a year-round ban and its effort to protect itself from PR backlash, it’s not hard to see a scenario where Goodell goes ahead with adding games to Watson’s suspension. That would open the door to a countermeasure by the NFLPA that takes this to court. The CBA and recent precedent would not side with the union in court, but legal action could delay Watson’s ban. Tom Brady and Ezekiel Elliott were allowed to play under court orders; Watson could end up doing the same. Brady and Elliott, however, ended up serving their commissioner-imposed suspensions.