The National Football League is appealing the 6-game suspension ruling for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson seeking a tougher penalty for violating the league’s personal conduct policy in the wake of disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson’s Monday ruling.
The NFL stated that league commissioner Roger Goodell will determine who will hear the appeal. Under the league’s current collective bargaining agreement, Goodell has the option to consider the appeal himself or can appoint a designee to do so.
The NFLPA has two business days to file a written response to the NFL’s appeal. A report from back in July stated that the players’ union would file a lawsuit in federal court if the NFL or Robinson issued at least a year-long suspension of Watson.
Watson has continued to deny any wrongdoing in response to accusations of sexual assault and other inappropriate conduct during massage sessions in civil lawsuits filed by 25 women. The encounters alleged in the lawsuits took place from March 2020 to March 2021, while Watson was a member of the Houston Texans.