For the first time since the Cleveland Browns acquired quarterback Deshaun Watson in a trade with the Houston Texans, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has spoken out, speaking to the media Tuesday during the Annual Owners Meeting being held in Palm Beach, Fla.
Goodell hinted that disciplinary action is coming from the NFL regarding Watson, who was cleared of spending time in prison but still has 22 civil lawsuits against him from different women alleging inappropriate sexual behavior by the still young quarterback.
Roger Goodell’s words
“We’ve been very clear with every club, whether the criminal matter gets resolved or not, that the personal conduct policy is very important to us,” Goodell said, according to The MMQB’s Albert Breer. “They understand that’s something we’re going to pursue.”
According to Goodell’s own words that discipline can be given with suspensions for a number of games and/or a monetary fine, the only thing that changes from the NFL is that, because it does not result in a crime, Watson will not be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list.
“We’ve been very clear over the last year that the civil cases were at play over the last year, the only thing that has changed is the criminal element that has been at least resolved,” Goodell said. “And that was an important element in the context of the commissioner’s exemption that we have discussed with our player’s association. So, if the criminal had proceeded, that would’ve more likely triggered a commissioner’s exempt. I think at this point the civil cases in it of itself would not do that. If there is a violation of the personal conduct policy, that may trigger something. But it would more likely trigger some type of discipline in some fashion.”
Deshaun Watson’s contract
Watson received a contract never before seen in NFL history from the Browns, who agreed to a five-year, $230 million deal, all guaranteed.
Marca
