Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games Monday for violating the NFL's personal conduct code. He was not penalised.
NFL and NFLPA did not immediately respond calls for comment. NFL and players union appointed Judge Sue L. Robinson to oversee player punishments.
The league and players union have three business days to appeal to Goodell or his designee. Before Robinson informed both sides of her verdict, the players union said it wouldn't appeal and asked the NFL to uphold it.
When Watson becomes eligible to play again following a suspension, it will have been nearly 22 months since his last N.F.L. game.
The verdict follows a 15-month inquiry into Watson's alleged sexually coercive and indecent behaviour from fall 2019 to March 2021. After Watson challenged the charges, two grand juries didn't indict him.
23 of 24 women who sued Watson settled. Twenty allegations were settled in June, and Watson reached agreements with three more women, including Ashley Solis, who sued Watson in March 2021.
Deshaun Watson was punished for six games after a 15-month inquiry. No fine.Watson has settled with 23 of 24 women who sued him civilly. Watson's old squad settled with 30 ladies.
A lawsuit alleged the Texans "turned a blind eye" to Watson's behaviour. Watson utilised Texans resources, including nondisclosure agreements, to make additional meetings with women.