The NFLPA had two business days to file a brief responding to the NFL’s Deshaun Watson appeal. The union has, as expected, followed through on filing a reply brief (Twitter link).
This matter now goes to appellate appointee Peter Harvey, whom Roger Goodell designated to hear the league’s appeal. Harvey helped the NFL craft its personal conduct policy, and the fact Goodell has selected him to hear its appeal of Watson’s six-game suspension suggests the league is confident more games will be tacked onto the Browns quarterback’s ban.
That taking place puts the NFLPA in a spot in which a court battle seems likely. Since the union did not appeal Sue Robinson’s six-game ban, Watson will miss this season’s first six games. However, a court fight could have him on the field immediately after. A preliminary injunction, as courts deal with this matter, would put Watson in position to play and — assuming the league’s CBA holds up in court — serve two separate suspensions. Or, the union’s legal effort fails ahead of that Week 7 window and Watson serves a longer suspension that covers most or all of the 2022 season. Tom Brady and Ezekiel Elliott played under injunctions, but each served the Goodell-determined suspensions at later dates.
The NFL is again seeking a full-season suspension, its goal for the past several weeks. Robinson ruling Watson violated the league’s personal conduct policy by committing sexual assault during massage therapy sessions gives Harvey the power to increase his suspension. Absent a full-season suspension, the league wants to substantially increase Watson’s fine. The Browns structuring of Watson’s contract, giving the former Texans Pro Bowler a league-minimum salary to minimize his financial punishment in the event of a suspension, has not sat well with the NFL.
Settlement talks between the NFL and NFLPA have occurred periodically, and more clarity has emerged on what each side was willing to accept. The NFLPA spent weeks arguing Watson should not be suspended at all, but Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports the union was willing to accept an eight-game ban. The shortest absence the NFL was willing to allow was 12 games. If the 12-game suspension was to be put in place via a settlement, Graziano adds the NFL also wanted Watson fined in the $8MM range.
Watson’s camp was not willing to go along with the NFL’s push for an indefinite suspension, per Mike Garafolo of NFL.com, who describes that component as a lead driver in breaking off the settlement talks (video link). As it stands now, Watson is set to lose less than $500K from his six-game ban. A full-season absence would only cost him his $1MM base salary.
This process, which involved 25 civil lawsuits filed against the recently traded quarterback, will be designed to conclude expeditiously, ESPN.com’s Jeff Darlington relays (on Twitter). No additional hearings are forthcoming, only Harvey’s decision. After that, it could spill over into court. The Browns are set to give their starting job to Jacoby Brissett during Watson’s absence, with Josh Dobbs and Josh Rosen serving as reserve options.
I hope he starts this year and the case goes longer. This way when he is fully suspended next year, his contract won’t roll over as Brownsbacker loves to talk about.
That’s a good start, others hope his next masseuse John Bobbitt’s whatever is peaking out of his tiny washcloth covering.
There you go again talking about a guy’s junk. Just admit why you’re really on here. There’s nothing wrong with that
Yes, I’m on here to talk about how you’ll take good care of the newest “member” of your beloved Cleveland Brownies, woof woof.
If I knew putting a picture of me on this site was gonna get you this worked up, I’d never done it.
Says the guy with a picture of Deshaun Watson posted above the bed…
This guys as much as a browns fan as tonygwynn24 on the mlb side is a pads fan. Just trolls.
Brownsbacker9 • 15 hours ago
There you go again talking about a guy’s junk. Just admit why you’re really on here. There’s nothing wrong with that
****************************
Once again BrokeBackBrownsBacker9 initiated homoerotic conversation in his effort to deflect any negative conversation from Mr. Watson’s towel habit. Might think BBBB9 is jealous that he never got towel tricked?
Rosie….are you really 13 years old? Shouldn’t you be playing with your Lego?
BBBB9 for your own health you need to get out of your parent’s basement, get some sun, meet a real girl/guy (whatever), and stop having relations with your pillow and socks.
Are 9 years old and are getting molested by a family member? That must be why you love Watson. Your brain washed by your captors.
He will be serving the 6 game regardless to start the the year.
The ruling will be before the season starts, the NFLPA will file a suit and he’ll most likely start the season. This writer is wrong. I’ll believe what Stefanski said this afternoon that he has to get Watson ready because he may be starting game 1. Cleveland writers are saying the same thing. Once the suit starts, there’s an injunction. Trust me. I was right on the contract tolling when everyone said I was wrong. I’m rarely, if ever wrong.
He is not appealing Judge Robinson’s ruling, so it is binding. The NFL’s appeal is seeking an upward modification so his suspension will be a minimum of six games at the start of the season. An appeal in court could delay any additional punishment or fines, so the NFL, if not stopped by the court, could postpone any additional suspension to the following season where his salary will be significantly higher. The NFLPA would continue to fight that in court before it’s enforced in 2023 with the argument that he served his suspension under the binding agreement.
Once the NFL appeals, the new guy hearing the appeal rules for a new punishment. It could actually be for zero games, although that is unlikely. This writer is wrong. I’ll take the word of the Browns head coach over a writer on PFR. Brady played during appeal. Elliott played during appeal. Watson will play during appeal as long as the appeal is going on during the season. Once all appeals are exhausted, then Watson will begin serving his suspension. It’s really not that hard to figure out
This writer is exactly right. Why you think you know more than an actual reporter who has a job. You’re unemployed ass just spouts off nonsense. Leave the basement & find a job. Maybe then you’ll have some perspective.
Change your name to RapistBacker. Punk…
I hope D.Watson gets hurt the preseason. Then get suspended so he can’t treatment and rehab while being suspended. I noticed the Browns like picking up criminals to play for them like K.Rush and D.Watson
Who is K Rush? What about Joe Mixon and Jackson Carmen? Do a Wiki search on them. And even if Watson gets hurt, he can still rehab with the Browns Doctors. Do you really even know anything about football or do you just fantasize about it?
That’s a lot of ill will to wish on a guy who mostly just paid women a lot of money to voluntarily please him. You should probably save your violent feelings for people who evict young families, steal elders’ homes or physically attack women.
There are a lot worse people in the world. Do not forget Watson has neither been charged nor convicted of a crime. This is not to say what Watson did was okay. It looks from here that whatever happens he’ll have paid the piper for his misdeeds while murderers, rapists and usurers walk free.
There is NOT an auto injunction the judge needs to issue one. If he decides there is no reason he can allow the suspension to start and then see what the next ruling is. This is normal in many lawsuits. Trust me I stayed at a Holiday Inn once.
I am kind of torn if there is an injunction does the NFL delay as long as possible and hope all the suspension starts next season except if they make the playoffs do they start it for the playoffs? They should do that just because the way they jobbed the contract. I think they should fine him the amount not counting the first year what the AAV of his contract is for each game he is suspended.
In closing BB the injunction is not a guarantee. The judge has to rule on it. Maybe you were not as right as you think you are. Hopefully the judge is a Bungles fan. How can 1 state have 2 teams so poorly run? Lol
I’m not a Bengals fan but do you follow football? You probably shouldn’t bang on a team after they just made the Super Bowl. I never said anything was automatic. We’ll just have to see. Watson will be playing for the Browns, whether it’s some of this year and all of next or all of this year and some of next. This was never a trade for one year. He’s a multiple time pro bowler .
It doesn’t matter if the contract tolls or not. Watson said he wants to play the rest of his career in Cleveland. I’m guessing 10 more years
Now it doesn’t matter? After hundreds of posts claiming it does?
It doesn’t matter if the contract tolls. It’s not going to affect how many years Watson plays. I hope Watson only gets 6 games, but whatever he gets, he gets. I root for the name on the front of the jersey and not the back. When the Browns got Watson, I figured he’d be suspended enough this season to help the Browns make the playoffs. This trade wasn’t just made for this season
I guess you forgot Watson dumped you 1st. He declined to remove his no trade clause after 1st meeting with them. Your second place in his eyes as well. Google “Watson declined Browns offer..” Tons of articles from every major sports website; Fox sports, CBS sports, CNNSI, Yahoo…..Long list stating Watson had no use for Cleveland. Only took $250m guaranteed to change his mind. And you think ‘I want to retire as a Brown’ has any value coming from him?
Spot on. We’ll written. Brownsbacker is a delusional moron. Think he/she knows what’s going on. Acts like reports who do this for a living don’t know what their talking about. I’m actually worried about Brownsbackers well being when Watson gets suspended indefinitely until the rest of the sexual assault cases are done with. I guarantee there’s more coming. Just waiting for the “final” ruling. Watson isn’t playing in Cleveland this year and maybe never.
Who cares? Ohtani will be traded to a team that he didn’t choose first. Do you think that team cares? You should stop. I’m making you look foolish
Watson is making you personally, & Cleveland look foolish.
Haha. You’re hilarious Arthur
It’s arty not Arthur. But I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. Have a good wet dream of giving a massage to Watson tonight and every night until he bails on you. Then cry wolf.
You’re right, it was made because the Browns front office is absolutely a train wreck and they wanted to get a face of the franchise that would mirror that image.
Until they trade a player he likes or they don’t hire a coach he likes. Then he’ll throw a hissy fit and probably will abuse 57 more women.
From what I have read his contract will be pushed back a year. His agents did their job. He will get his money unless something new comes to light and the Browns find cause to get out of the contract.
I hope he never plays another snap in the NFL ever again. He doesn’t deserve to. He deserves to be in jail where he can’t abuse any women. That’s where anyone else would be right now if they didn’t throw ball good.
You really sound mad Alvin. It’s just a game.
I’m not mad. I actually have control of my emotions. What he does for a living is exactly a game. That’s all it is, and he makes more money that your entire family history has and ever will make in just one year of playing a game.
What I am talking about is actual life, and he impacted around 60 of them negatively because he can’t control himself. That’s not a game. Other peoples’ lives are not games.
Impacted? Yeah, he made them richer. Do you honestly think what Watson did scarred any of these women? I do believe that the threats and negative press has bothered them. That’s wrong. They shouldn’t have to go through that.
Your grammar sucks
So let me get this right. A guy that runs around threatening people online. Posting fake photos of himself pretending to be a big badass. Questions whether or not a 6’2 225 lb man could threaten or scare a woman who weighs half of that…
I’ve never threatened anyone Bass. I love these people that think by muting me, that they’re still gonna be able to respond to me. Muting goes both ways.
He assaulted them, but I guess if he just pays for it, that makes it okay in your book. If he never abused them, he would never have had to pay damages. See how that works? I absolutely do believe he scarred them for life. He also tarnished the image of men in general for these women. They will think we all act this way and they won’t ever feel safe or trust a man again.
It seems like Watson is the one getting all the negative press, as well he should. Everyone should know that he is a sex offender. The Browns and you should feel ashamed, but I guess in both cases the level of stupidity negates the ability to be human.
You are delusional. Did the Steeler fans feel bad about all women of rape when they rooted for their quarterback? If you feel so horrible for the women, why don’t boycott the NFL and donate 1000 dollars to a women’s abuse organization? Come on Alvin. Make a difference.
Honestly yes. Many Steelers fans gave Big Ben a public outpouring rash of crap. Even SI covered a story in 2017 about issues he still confronts in his hometown after settling both cases in 2010 and 2012.
BBBB9 if you were to do a touch of research you will even find that the Steeler fans did, actually, start a petition to have Big Ben banned from the NFL.
What? 25 people sign up? The team had plenty of opportunities to trade him. Face it, everyone overlooks bad behavior from their team’s stars. Ray Lewis is beloved in Baltimore. Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh. Pete Rose in Cincinnati. Kobe in LA. Like I’ve said many times before, I root for the name on the front of jersey and not the back. I don’t buy jerseys. I hardly wear any sports teams gear and if I do it’s my college basketball team. If Watson was on other people’s team, they’d be wanting him to play. I find it hilarious that people will not answer me when I ask who they root for. Why do you think that is?
can we start a petition to ban Brownsboner… I mean brownsbacker?
Just mute him I did
Amazing advice. Thank you
I think you need to look at BrokeBackBrownsBack9 in a different light. He is no different than any other talking head like Steven A Smith, if you honestly read BBBB9 garbage he does contradict himself.
BBBB9 is so worried about responding and getting attention that his message gets misguided. He is simply trying to justify his existence through the attention he gets with responses. I am willing to bet if Deshawn Watson has signed with Atlanta, he would be AtlantaAdict9.
And you too. I’ve never been on a site where so many guys talk about that.
I’ve never heard of a person support sexual assault as much as you do. Maybe R Kelly
Is there a way to permanently mute someone? There’s guys on the MLB site that I mute them and they’re gone from that post. How do you get rid of them entirely?
OH I am sure you have been on sites that talk about that with a more common occurrence….
link to nicoleraucheisen.com — brownsbackers1
LGBT Fans Show their Browns Pride
Since 1980, there have been 355 Browns Backers groups started worldwide. Members of the organization’s first LGBT group talk about the stereotypes surrounding sports and how sports have impacted their lives.
You really need a hobby
Just found one.
I love how bad Goddell and NFL look right now lol
This is just gonna make it harder to get a deal done next bargaining time. The NFLPA is a very strong stick together union
They aren’t as strong as the public thinks. When most of the union is only in the league for 2-3 years they aren’t going to hold out & miss checks. So the owners just wait and get what they want.
The NFLPA is a joke. Why? Because they have idiot players and former players representing them and they cave all the time.
Not as bad as Watson & the Browns
I’m guessing this guy will just add a fine with the money going to women’s abuse resources and require Watson to undergo mental health evaluation and counseling. The NFL will try and show how much they care and avoid undermining the ruling.
They are already requiring him to go to counseling and that he can’t get a massage through anything but the team’s medical staff. I wonder why they made that a stipulation if he did absolutely nothing wrong, which even Sue Robinson said he did to things and that he lied about them and showed absolutely no remorse.
This is shaping up to be such a rub and tug of war with no happy ending by in sight.
What you did there. I see it.
This is about to get a rise out of somebody. I just hope this doesn’t explode into a huge mess. Regardless, this has been a very sticky situation. In the end, this will have to be a very draining feeling for all involved. Everyone will want to wash their hands from this situation once all is said and done.
Your stamina is amazing and you definitely rose to the occasion. Way to go little guy, you really pounded one out there.
You shouldn’t stroke my ego so much, it might go to my head. Here’s a tip, don’t give somebody the shaft when it comes to generosity. Give them the whole stick, don’t take your balls and go home. Once you start giving, don’t stop. Keep it up. Soon you will get in your groove and it will feel just right. You’ll be bursting with joy in no time!
The only dragging out is they should drag that perv out of the locker room and tie his ankles to two different horses. Them let them drag him like the old days.
That is weird I did this at the end of the string makes more sense down there. Still same thing should happen to him. And no BB I am not mad just have no use for pervs.
So the NFLPA favors light sentences for players who abuse women? I’m shocked.
It’s their job to take the players side
How about the picture of the Haslam at camp and Mrs. Haslam has a big smile on her face. Defender of women there. Didn’t he screw a bunch of people in some business dealings. Classy couple.
Yup:
CLEVELAND – The statute of limitations ended Monday without prosecutors filing new charges in the $56 million fraud committed by top executives of Pilot Flying J, the family business of Browns owner Jimmy Haslam.
Haslam was not charged in the scheme that Pilot Flying J sales leaders used to bilk unsophisticated trucking companies out of agreed-upon rebates.
Federal prosecutors had five years from the date of the raids on the business to file the most serious charge in the investigation: conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s office in Knoxville, Tennessee, declined to comment or to address the question of whether prosecutors would seek to extend the deadline by filing a waiver, a move that is rarely used.
Already, 17 former employees, including the company’s former president, were convicted of fraud-related charges. A spokeswoman for Pilot Flying J declined to comment about the passing of the statute of limitations. Haslam previously said he knew nothing about the fraud.
An FBI affidavit, however, quoted an informant saying that Haslam and his one-time president, Mark Hazelwood, were in sales meetings where the scheme was discussed. A federal jury convicted Hazelwood in February of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, and he faces 21 years in prison when he is sentenced in August.
Hazelwood earned more than $26 million a year when federal agents raided the company’s headquarters April 15, 2013, the day the statute of limitations began. Since federal courthouses are closed Sunday, the five-year statute was extended one more day.
Hazelwood became a lightning rod in the case when prosecutors played tapes, secretly recorded by an FBI informant, that included Hazelwood’s racist rants against the city of Cleveland, the Browns and their fans.
Prosecutors released the tapes at trial in January. They said the tapes, which were made by an informant just months after Haslam bought the Browns in 2012, countered defense claims that Hazelwood was an excellent administrator who cared about people and the company.
Haslam was not at the meeting. He fired Hazelwood in May 2014, soon after he learned of the recordings.
Hazelwood’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, did not return repeated messages seeking comment last week.
Haslam’s attorney, Tom Dillard, confirmed in January, through a spokesman, that Haslam never received a target letter, the name given to a notice that authorities say federal prosecutors in white-collar crime cases often send to a person that spells out that he or she is under investigation. In the letter, prosecutors describe the allegations and urge the person to obtain legal counsel.
The company’s spokesman said in January that Haslam cooperated with federal authorities from the beginning of the investigation.
Legal experts said that an investigation could be extended if prosecutors seek a waiver of the statute of limitations by obtaining an agreement with a person’s defense counsel. That is extremely rare and used in long-term investigations.
Pilot Flying J is the nation’s largest operator of travel centers, catering to the fuel needs of over-the-road trucking companies. The scheme unfolded like this, according to court records and trial testimony:
Top executives of Pilot Flying J’s sales staff targeted trucking companies and withheld tens of thousands of dollars a month in rebates.
The more fuel the trucking companies bought from Pilot Flying J, the greater the rebates should have been. But the executives returned only a fraction of the money owed to the companies, a move to gain greater commissions, prosecutors said at the trial. The fraud began in about 2008, and prosecutors said Hazelwood led the scheme.
The company has paid more than $85 million in settlements to trucking companies cheated in the scam, as well as a $92 million penalty to the U.S. Justice Department. The company has sales of more than $20 billion a year.
And imagine the 6 degrees of separation, good old Rusty Hardin worked on that case too.
The Cleveland Browns franchise heheheheaa
Jimmy Haslam lllolol
Smh
When Redskins fans complain about Dan Snyder, I’ve always said Dan’s just another pea in the NFL owners pod. What a heel this Haslam is. Nothing the Browns would do will surprise me now. Thanks for sharing that buried story, Hammer.
If the NFL is serious about eliminating abusive players from the league they should start with the owners that do the same. Stop this do as I say not as I do mentality and lead by example. I do not name owners or teams on purpose because no fan base should be guilty by association, we all deserve better.
The owners aren’t players and aren’t part of the NFLPA. I agree with your premise, but that’s the difference here. The players negotiated themselves into this current situation. If they don’t like it, they don’t have to play and if you don’t like it, you don’t have to watch or support the league, its teams, or its players.
If you are that sick of it and it really matters to you, and yet you still watch the games, go to games, bet on games, play fantasy sports, cheer on the players, you are an absolute hypocrite and forfeit the right to share your opinion on these matters.
You’re wrong. The owners are part of the Code of Conduct too. It actually states that the owners are to be held to a higher standard. That’s partly why Robinson ruled the way she did. She basically said that you can’t punish without giving notice that sexual non violent offenses will receive harsher punishment than before. Did you even read her decision? I’m guessing not.
I am not wrong at all. My statement was that the Owners are not part of the NFLPA. You do know what the PA part stands for? Players’ Association. Owners are not PLAYERS.
There is a code of conduct in the CBA for the players, and there is a separate code for the owners as anything stated FOR PLAYERS does NOT APPLY TO OWNERS.
I read her decision and that’s why I know you are a moron and didn’t understand what she said. Why? Because she disagrees with you. She said Watson is absolutely guilty. I know you like to throw around that the court didn’t indict him, but here is a former judge of 30 years or so that you admire apparently, saying he was GUILTY. On top of that, she said he showed NO REMORSE, and HE LIED.
You’re wrong. The Code of Conduct strictly states at the end that owners are held to a higher standard. I’ve been reading that quote for months from different people. I’m gonna believe them before some guy named Alvin. Alvin sounds like a name for a butler or a chef, not a guy that watches football
Where does it say that in the CBA?
My name isn’t Alvin, just like yours isn’t Turdmuncher24/7.
link to si.com
Here you go Alvin. Don’t ever question what I say again. I don’t lie and I don’t make up stuff like everyone else on here. Turdmuncher? Seriously, you gotta be older than 12
So instead of referring me to the CBA like I said, you refer to me to Sports Illustrated?
I question everything you say because you have a cinder block where your brain should be.
I am not saying you are a liar, I never did. I am saying you are too stupid to know that you’re wrong.
Let me type it out in a way that a 5 year old could understand:
Okay little Brownie, do you know what the…inter-net is? GOOOOOOD.
Now…can you do a google search for: NFL CBA? GREAT JOB!
Okay Brownie, please set aside about 4 hours of reading time, because that’s a BIIIIIIG document.
When you are allllll done, please show all the adults in the room where in that BIIIIIIG document where it says that the owners have to adhere to, and surpass, the threshold for players’ conduct detrimental to the NFL.
I will save you a bunch of time Brownie not because I like you, but because I know I am right, you won’t find it in there.
So everyone that says it’s in there is wrong and someone named Alvin is right. If I produced the CBA, you still wouldn’t believe it. Sorry, but I’m gonna believe what I read from the sports outlets that have reported that Alvin
I wouldn’t be surprised if an agreement on a 10 or 12 game suspension is reached. Watson and his camp will cave to pay fine this year to avoid using huge checks next season. Also, I would expect Browns will inform Watson to get the suspension over in 2922, they can’t have him suspended for significant parts of two seasons.
I’m anticipating a future where the NFL spends more time scouting lawyers than college prospects.
Must be difficult to have been a Browns fan the past few years. They finally assemble a great roster, and then injuries beset the running backs and others. Or Baker blows a few games. Then you sign a tremendously gifted QB with legal baggage and can almost taste the glory….but the NFL just kind of dangles him out there with its decisions. Will he play this year or won’t he?
That said, makes no sense that they aren’t trading for Jimmy G at this point. Good team that he could do more with than Brissett. Kind of obvious Watson won’t be around for a while
You don’t trade for Garapollo if Watson fights it in federal court because he’ll play until the decision. If Watson ends up getting the entire suspension, then I’m ok getting Garapollo. The Browns want to carry over 35 million. They have 49 million in cap space. Garapollo will have to accept about 12-14 million. This has to play out first. How good would Garapollo be without any camp? I’m not sure he’d be better than Brissett
Federal court fight or not, ‘backer, it would be a good bet that he’s not going to be on the field for a goodly amount of time
Guess there are many schools of thought about what to do and I agree, you don’t know how long the case will drag, but you have arguably one of the best rosters in the AFC. At whatever point Watson exits, you want to take advantage of all that talent. Jimmy’s playoff run last season by itself should inspire some thoughts from the Browns front office
And if you’re the Panthers how do you take Baker over Jimmy G? Panthers did the Browns a favor twice taking Baker and leaving Jimmy alone. If I’m the steelers I’d grab Jimmy now and watch the Browns kick and scream
Agree 100%, although if I were the Steelers, I’d have traded for Jimmy pre-draft, before Trubisky. I like Pickett, but to me at least, that was the best option
If you traded for Garapollo, you assume his 25 million dollar contract. Trubisky gets 7 million. I’m guessing that if you acquired Garapollo, you wouldn’t have Ogunjobi, Jack or one of those desperate offensive lineman you need. Pick your choice
Jimmy is coming off of a major shoulder injury and NOBODY is sniffing around him. That should tell you something.
The NFL is a joke
WTF is going on. I’m so blown away by all of this. He missed an entire year now gets 6 games and they want another entire year? Brown fully guaranteed his contract and now no one looks good. BROWNS = DUMBEST FRANCHISE IN THE NFL. GODDELL LOOKS LIKE A PUPPET. WATSON SHOULDNT EVEN BE ALLOWED TO PLAY FOOTBALL. NOTHING GOOD WILL COME FROM ANY OF THIS! HOW CAN I EVEN SUPPORT THE NFL ANYMORE. Flores/Dolphins + every thing in AZ going on. When do the fans just stop showing up? It’s a shame. Product on the field is great. Product of the field is hot garbage.
He did not miss any games due to his misconduct and any resulting discipline. He pulled a full salary last season to be a spectator which was by his doing as he refused to ever suit up for Houston again. Going forward, missing a season should’ve been the starting point for his discipline.
Houston should have traded Watson earlier. The timing of the whole scandal smells of conniving by billionaire owner/heir and good-old-boy Cal McNair. Not that Watson didn’t make McNair’s dirty work very easy.
Watson made a mistake not taking the NFL’s offer of a 12 game suspension. He should have accepted that and gotten this over with. Now he’s almost certainly going to get at least a year suspension and this will continue to drag out indefinitely.
And a hefty fine as opposed to no fine at all.