Cleveland Browns QB faces suspension for alleged misconduct

An NFL disciplinary officer suspended Deshaun Watson without pay for six games after 24 women accused him of sexual misconduct during massages. Watson settled 23 of the 24 lawsuits while maintaining he had not acted inappropriately. He will still be paid the full $230 million for his five-year contract minus $345,000 in paychecks he would have received for those six games. The league was pushing for a heavy fine and a yearlong suspension. The NFL has three days to appeal the decision, while the players union said it would abide by the ruling. 

What’s next for Watson? The Browns anticipated the possibility of Watson being suspended for four to six games when they signed him in March. His suspension would begin the first week of the regular season, meaning he can practice and play exhibition games with his team. Once the season starts, he would finish his suspension in time to play in the Browns’ Oct. 23 game at Baltimore. 

Dig deeper: Read Daniel Darling’s column in WORLD Opinions on a college football coach taking a pro-life stand.