Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson Suspended 6 Games: Reports

CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was suspended for six games Monday for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy after two dozen women accused him of sexual misconduct in Texas, according to reports.

The news, reported by The Associated Press and ESPN, comes after Watson the NFL Players Association said in a joint statement with Watson on Sunday night that they would accept the discipline and encouraged the league to do so as well.

"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" the union said in a statement.

Watson played for four seasons with Houston and was traded to Cleveland in March. He recently settled 23 of 24 lawsuits filed by massage therapists who accused him of sexual harassment and assault during appointments in 2020 and 2021.

If either side appeals, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell or someone he designates would make the decision under the league's collective bargaining agreement. The union could then challenge that ruling in federal court.

The league previously sought an indefinite suspension of at least a year and a $5 million fine during a three-day hearing in June, according to AP. The NFL Players' Association argued Watson shouldn't be punished at all because he was not convicted of any crime.

Two grand juries in Texas declined to indict Watson on criminal complaints brought by 10 of the women.

In their lawsuits, the women accused Watson of exposing himself, touching them with his genitals or kissing them against their will. One woman accused Watson of forcing her to perform a sex act on him.

Watson has denied all wrongdoing and said any sexual activity with three of the women was consensual. He insisted he wanted to clear his name before agreeing to secret financial settlements with 20 of the women in June.

The Texans reached secret financial settlements with 30 women in July, including one who filed a lawsuit against the team, accusing it of turning "a blind eye" to Watson's behavior. The others planned to do the same before the settlements were reached, attorney Tony Buzbee said, according to AP.