By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer and Rob Maaddi, AP football writer
BEREA (AP) — The Browns finally have some clarity on Deshaun Watson’s playing status. Now, they’re waiting for closure.
It could be hours or days away.
More than four months since Cleveland signed him to a five-year, $230 million contract, Watson was suspended six games without pay Monday by independent arbiter Sue L. Robinson, who ruled that he violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy after being accused by more than two dozen women in Texas of sexual misconduct.
But while the long-awaited decision came as the Browns braced for the possibility he could be suspended for the entire 2022 season, nothing is final.
The league, which pushed for Watson to be disciplined harshly, is weighing whether to appeal Robinson’s ruling, which she detailed in a 16-page document. If there’s an appeal — the league has until 9 a.m. Thursday to file it — the case will go to Commissioner Roger Goodell or someone he designates to either shorten, lengthen or maintain the punishment.
Still, the NFL Players Association could then try to challenge Goodell’s ruling on an appeal in federal court.
For now, Watson’s debut for the Browns will be delayed until Oct. 23 at Baltimore — nearly 22 months since his last appearance in an NFL game.
About 90 minutes after Robinson’s decision was released, Watson ran onto the practice field in his orange No. 4 jersey to cheers. It seemed like any other work day as he joked with teammates during the stretching period, fired precision passes and waved to fans clamoring for a better view or to get the QB’s autograph afterward.
“I didn’t notice any difference,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said when asked about Watson’s demeanor following the decision.
Watson is allowed to practice and play in exhibition games during his suspension. He continued to take most of the snaps with Cleveland’s first-team offense Monday, with backup Jacoby Brissett getting the others.
The 29-year-old Brissett is poised to play in Cleveland’s first six games, pending a change to Watson’s suspension. Stefanski said the team will get both QBs prepared for the start of the season.
Watson’s still first in line, though.
“More than anything he’s our starter, and we need to get him ready to play games,” Stefanski said. “Jacoby’s our backup, we need to get him ready to play games. Obviously Week 1 with the suspension we expect Jacoby to be in there.
“So there’s a point in our practice plan where we’ll shift gears, if you will. But for right now, we feel comfortable with the plan we have.”
Stefanski was the only member of Cleveland’s organization to speak publicly, and that didn’t happen until eight hours after Robinson’s ruling.
Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam issued a statement, with a team spokesman saying they will wait along with general manager Andrew Berry until the process is complete before commenting in person.
Stefanski said he hadn’t read Robinson’s ruling but planned to. When he does, he’ll see where she called his behavior “egregious” and “predatory” and noted that the player’s “lack of expressed remorse” factored into her decision.
She also weighed him being a first-time offender and his reputation before the allegations.
Stefanski has defended the team’s pursuit of Watson, and he believes the 26-year-old, who has previously said he doesn’t have any regrets, does indeed feel remorse.
“He’s told me privately, he wants to be the best version of himself,” Stefanski said. “I believe that wholeheartedly. He’s working on that.”
Stefanski’s also aware that some Browns fans will never be comfortable with Watson.
“I feel incredible empathy for anyone who’s been impacted by this decision,” he said. “It’s something that I don’t take lightly, I’ve spoken to women in our organization, I’ve spoken to women in the community, and that’s something I’ll continue to do.
“And our fans, whether you’re a man or a woman, our fans are really important to us, so I want to make sure they understand that and that they’re never going to be dismissed in any way.”
The Haslams attended Cleveland’s fifth practice of training camp, but didn’t speak to reporters.
In their statement, the Haslams, who were widely criticized for trading for Watson despite his massive legal issues, offered sympathy for victims while backing their star.
“We respect Judge Robinson’s decision, and at the same time, empathize and understand that there have been many individuals triggered throughout this process,” they said. “We know Deshaun is remorseful that this situation has caused much heartache to many and he will continue the work needed to show who he is on and off the field, and we will continue to support him.”
Fans debate Watson’s 6-game suspension for assault claims
By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer
HOUSTON (AP) — After Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games following accusations by two dozen women in Texas of sexual misconduct during massage treatments, a debate began among fans over whether his discipline was just.
Even among Browns fans, who hope Watson can be the franchise quarterback they’ve long searched for, the reaction to his suspension was mixed. Watson was traded to Cleveland from Houston this offseason for three first-round picks and the Browns then signed him to a $230 million, five-year contract, despite his legal issues.
Rhonda Whitelock, 50, a founding member and president of the Touchdown Browns Backers Club in suburban Cleveland, said she thinks a six-game suspension is not long enough given the sheer number of allegations.
Whitelock said club members, both men and women, have told her they won’t watch the Browns anymore, describing them as “disgusted.” Other members, however, believe the women’s accusations aren’t true, she said.
Whitelock said she considered giving up her season tickets, but decided not to, saying she doesn’t want “one person” to discourage her from rooting for the Browns.
Cassandra Riley, a 59-year-old Browns fan from Columbus, said she thought Watson’s suspension should have only been three games.
“I feel we all make mistakes. I know people who have committed worse atrocities,” Riley said while eating lunch with her husband outside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland. “He’s young. And I feel there’s no reason to end a young man’s career over a mistake.”
Watson has denied all wrongdoing, insisting any sexual activity with three of the women was consensual.
At the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, which received thousands of donations in the wake of Watson’s trade to the Browns in April, the six-game suspension was met with disappointment but not surprise.
“What we’ve been hearing from survivors, it’s like they see their own experiences in this Deshaun Watson case,” said Sondra Miller, the CEO of the center. “And some of the sentiments that we’ve been hearing is like, yeah, I tried to report what happened, too, and nothing happened. So why should we even bother telling people that we’ve been assaulted or harmed because nothing is going to happen anyway?”
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AP reporter Mark Gillispie contributed to this report from Cleveland.