Contrary to what many assumed would occur after disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson delivers her decision, it appears the NFL Players Association will not appeal Robinson’s ruling and it is calling “on the NFL to do the same.” The NFLPA released its joint statement with Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson on Twitter today, leaving no question as to their message. 
In the statement, they emphasize their cooperation and participation in the personal conduct policy investigation. They also underline the credentials of the ruling officer, Robinson, and announce their support for the validity and comprehensiveness of the hearing. They end the statement by asserting that they will choose not to question the legitimacy of their process by appealing Robinson’s ruling, and they ask the League to do the same.
This is an interesting decision by the NFLPA that seems to point out a glaring hole in the league’s appeal process. Many initially saw this as a reason to believe that the Players Association had some early indication of a favorable ruling and wanted to make sure the League won’t fight it by pressuring a statement of its own. But, upon further review of the appeal process, it makes perfect sense that the NFLPA wouldn’t want to appeal the ruling.
In the case of an appeal by either side, the decision leaves the hands of Robinson and falls into the lap of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Goodell is the assigned party to make the determination over any appeals. This makes the words of the NFLPA’s statement a lot more meaningful when they said:
“Every player, owner, business partner and stakeholder deserves to know that our process is legitimate and will not be tarnished based on the whims of the League office.”
Essentially, the Players Association has every reason in the world to avoid a precedent being set wherein the ruling of the independent hearing officer is easily overruled by the League and its commissioner. It would be most beneficial for the NFLPA to ensure that Goodell has no involvement in the final decision. The only way to do that is to honor the ruling made by Robinson.
Watson and the NFL continued their engagement in settlement talks in the days leading up to this ruling, but apparently the two sides were never able to get close, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. Watson’s side was willing to accept a ban of six to eight games. The League’s initial punishment was “an indefinite suspension with (the) right to apply for reinstatement after a certain number of games.” At the end of settlement negotiations, the League’s final offer was a 12-game ban with heavy fines, nearing the range of $8MM, with the fines taking the place of the indefinite ban.
Since no settlement was reached, the ruling will hold precedence, unless either side appeals. The only way neither side can appeal is if Robinson rules that Watson did not violate the league’s personal conduct policy. It appears the NFLPA is, at least, under the impression that Robinson won’t reach that conclusion, and they’d rather an appeal doesn’t allow Goodell to side with the League.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if this wrinkle in the league’s disciplinary process becomes a focal point in the next CBA negotiations when the current active agreement expires at the end of the 2030 season. Until then, it appears the Players Association will have to hope they can set a precedent wherein the two parties choose to respect the decision of the independent arbiter, keeping the final say out of the hands of the League’s commissioner.
Even though the article states the contrary, the NFLPA clearly has inside info that the suspension is probably on the low(er) end. What benefit would they have by appealing in the current structure?
NFLPA has no interest in appealing if the neutral ruling goes against them. They want no part in defending a sexual harasser. It would be a PR nightmare.
On the other hand NFL would be a PR win to appeal anything that wasnt in their favor.
This has zero to do with knowing the ruling. And everything to do with trying to convince the NFL not to act in their best interest.
If NFL loses and doesnt appeal, theyll look soft on the issue.
The NFLPA has one job. Protecting the players. They don’t care about a PR issue. Do DUI lawyers care about an issue? Did the lawyers representing the insurrectionists care about the PR issue? How about OJ’s lawyers? Watson is gonna play this year. You’d be smart to accept that fact
I get your point but you’re comparing two much different things. The NFLPA is also there to maximize player earnings. If this were to blow back on the NFL and have any sort of negative effect on revenue streams, they would be doing the players a disservice.
In Watson’s case, his contract is guaranteed so it won’t affect his earning potential except for endorsements which are gone no matter what. Do you really think that fans of any other teams are gonna boycott the NFL over this decision? No chance. The only people complaining about Watson on here are either mad Texan fans or fans of the teams in the Browns division. I’m a Browns fan, do you think I care one bit about what Kamara’s suspension is? Nope. I never cared about any suspensions any Steelers, Ravens or Bengals got either. Believe me those 3 teams had some bad actors too
Think those protesting Mike Vick were Atlanta Falcons and NFC East fans? Texans fans ain’t mad, they fleeced the Browns while ridding themselves of an absolute scumbag. Fans of teams in the Browns division aren’t mad either, they just have another reason why to pile on and also realize no matter what bad publicity comes from anyone on their roster won’t touch what DeScumbag Watson has done. So who really cares? Just the people that care about the treatment of females and wish to voice their displeasure to a team that gave up a ton to acquire him and then opened up the bank vault to further reward him.
Has it occurred to you that fathers with wives, daughters, mothers, might have a problem with a man who, at the very least, sexually harassed twenty something women? And then was rewarded with a huge guaranteed contract because he can throw a ball? I think it’s a significantly higher number of people than just non Browns fans.
Every team has someone that was accused of something you wouldn’t want to happen to your wife, mother or daughter. Get off your soapbox
Every team doesn’t have a guy who’s been sued for sexually harassing dozens of women, dimwit. And only a thoughtless tool would continue to blather on and on in defense of a pos who’s choices were indefensible.
I bet every team has someone, past or present that has been accused of assaulting a woman. To me, beating the crap out of a woman is worse than exposing yourself and touching them without force or restraint
Good luck with that. The NFL will appeal. Just a PR stunt by the PA.
I doubt the league appeals. They want this over with. If they appeal, why have Robinson at all? It was all just a waste of time hiring her if Goodell is still gonna make the decision
I doubt the league appeals. They want this over with. If they appeal, why have Robinson at all? It was all just a waste of time hiring her if Goodell is still gonna make the decision
I doubt the league appeals. They want this over with. If they appeal, why have Robinson at all? It was all just a waste of time hiring her if Goodell is still gonna make the decision
The NFL negotiated to have this right, and of course they better use it. Worst thing the nfl can do here is let anyone think they went easy on the Scumbag.
With Cincy in your name, you’re just an unbiased opinion? Why even have Robinson? It’s gonna be no more than 8 games. Even if the league appeals, there’s no guarantee Goodell will overthrow her ruling.
Says Brownie Boy who is obviously the most unbiased person around…GTFOH
Come on polish boy
You couldn’t blame the League for appealing if they feel the punishment is soft. On the other hand, I can’t stand Goodell and it’s ludicrous to believe that in an appeals process the players allowed him to be a decent factor on appeals. It’s a conflict of interest where the appeals process is needed. Now, Watson may play this year but he still has some serious moral issues. Those that claimed “sexual assault” should have gone to the police as the first complainant did. But I guarantee the majority of these were all about the money. Either way, he should know better.
If the NFLPA is “pleading” with the league to not appeal it all but guarantees that the league will. What a stupid approach by the PA. I know it’s their duty to represent Watson, but at some point doing the right thing has to take precedence. This is a huge black eye to the NFLPA’s reputation and they know it. Nothing but a PR stunt to try to pawn off some responsibility on the league, but no one’s dumb enough to buy it. The PA should be protecting the women that Watson took advantage of. Scumbags all around.
Where do you see the word pleading? So you think the NFLPA should represent the women? They have a lawyer. You people are ignorant when it comes to the law and judicial system
Robinson’s job is not the same as Goodell’s.
Anything less than a ton of bricks dropping on Watson’s head is bad for the league, so he’ll drop those bricks himself if he has to do so.
True, but since both side have this arbitration process, The league shouldn’t be able to over ride. Goodell is a douche and a severely over paid one at that. I get protecting the league, the women (in this situation) and other parties, but there’s a process in place, use the process. The PA screwed themselves when they agreed to allow the league to have the final say.
The process that is in place is that Goodell gets to override the ruling.
So basically they’re saying hey let’s honor this arbitrators decision one way or another. Yeah, that’s common sense, or else why even bother? It also leads me to believe that the NFLPA has reason to believe the decision will be favorable to the player.
I’m sick and tired of professional athletes being persecuted for crimes with no criminal charges. Yes, Ray Rice on film knocking a woman out is disgusting. Of course! Evidence speaks for itself.
But in a world where we can overlook Kobe allegedly raping a woman and settling out of court and still not getting suspended and being looked up to as a hero … can we calm down on Watson please? I know the answer is no. But then let’s be consistent. Nike had Kobe signed after all that happened but they put out adds about social justice. While running sweat shops in Vietnam and Indonesia mind you. Where’s the consistency in that?
But Kobe never got 5% of the backlash Watson has. I’m not even saying I think Kobe was guilty. But he admitted to cheating on Vanessa. His only argument was that it was consensual with the accuser. But no one called him a thug or blasted him for how immoral that is.
Is Watson even being accused of rape? Or are the accusations about him asking for sex and sexual favors? Which can be harassment if he persists after getting rejected. Which is not okay and not legal. But to crucify this man without evidence and then hold up Kobe as a hero when he was accused of much worse … just doesn’t make sense to me. Unless there’s evidence to prove this man guilty, leave him alone and let him do what he was born to do. Entertain us with his god given athletic talents.
Most people that are doing this are Steeler fans who yesterday said Roethlisberger was a great guy.
I agree 100%! There is a difference between criminal and civil issues. Money hungry idiots (male and female) with no proof or very little will always fall on the side of civil and issues of being morally inept. If it’s criminal then produce the evidence and let the legal system play out then pop the athlete from the prospective that was proven… criminal or civil
So because one abuser got away with it we should just let them all get away with it? Great logic.
He’s not out of the legal woods yet. He had a few ladies refuse to settle and will take him to court. More evidence will be revealed and I hope the nitty gritty details get out and the NFL, if they are unwilling to give him the suspension he deserves, has to sit there and try to defend their decision to let this scum off light.
The Ray Rice situation is an anomaly compared to these other cases. The difference is the video evidence. He had basically been a model citizen before that with no priors and since counseling and reconciliation with his now wife. [As a side note, my brother spotted Ray Rice with his kids a couple years ago waiting on line for a ride at Sesame Place. He might have a response to what Rosita was caught on tape recently doing there, but I digress…] His career was ended by it. He may have been on the decline then but he could’ve had a few years left at that point.
Who cares how many years he could have had left. He knocked out a woman that he loved, was his fiance, and had his child. He deserved to have the privilege of never playing in the NFL again and had there not been a legal loophole that your wife can’t testify against you (he promptly married her after the incident specifically so she wouldn’t testify) he would be spending years in jail.
Pure guess is 10-12 games and 5 million fine. (neither side gets what they want, but both sides get to be done with thing.)
Did you read the article? The league wants 12 games and 8 million fine. Your prediction gives the league almost everything it wants. If Robinson gives 4-8 games and Goodell gives 12 and a fine, expect a lawsuit. The NFLPA said they wouldn’t appeal her decision but it doesn’t say that it wouldn’t sue the league for discrimination because every owner violated the Code of Conduct and received nothing
I’m betting 8-10 gms + fine
Not from Robinson. Goodell may want to give him that but I believe the NFLPA will sue if Goodell gives him a harsher penalty than Robinson
Both the NFLPA and Goodell did the required posturing for the public’s benefit at the start of the process but both sides want to move on from this mess. Any appeal by either side will be a half hearted effort to save face.
And undermine a 30 year career Federal Judge ability to rule
There are literally thousands of incidents where judges rulings are appealed in other courts for a variety of reasons (mostly procedural or interpretation of law issues)
This isn’t a court or a trial.
6 games for sexually assaulting seemingly dozens of women…while a QB got suspended 12 games years ago because the league doesn’t understand basic science. What a clown show.
I need a player to say something mean on twatter regarding some of various protected classes out there so I can watch the league suspend that player for 6+ games and make this an even bigger joke.
Who got suspended 12 games years ago? A better example would be an owner going to a masseuse to get a happy ending and nothing happening to him despite being arrested. Let’s play some football
6 games
The NFL is a joke. It will make a clear message that it doesn’t care about women and that their thugs can get away with anything and face little to no consequences.
If all of the other nonsense didn’t convince you before, then let this do it. Boycott the NFL. Punish them for not punishing their players appropriately.
If you don’t you are just as guilty as the NFL and have no room to complain. You cosign this if you keep supporting this joke of a league.
In essence it’s a 23 game suspension, since he sat out all of last year.
Last year was a paid vacation