Roger Goodell confirms NFL still reviewing Deshaun Watson’s case despite 11-game suspension and settlement

The NFL Commissioner did not deny the possibility of the league taking disciplinary action on the quarterback.

Roger Goodell confirms NFL still reviewing Deshaun Watson’s case despite 11-game suspension and settlement

Roger Goodell and Deshaun Watson (Images via IMAGO)

After an estimated 23 women came forward and leveled allegations of sexual assault on Deshaun Watson, the NFL sprung into action. Roger Goodell and the league’s investigating team had to investigate the matter for the better part of a year before deciding the quantum of punishment for the quarterback. Now, with yet another claim of sexual assault and battery against Watson, it is Deja Vu for the NFL.

A civil lawsuit has been filed against Deshaun Watson and the matter will be decided by the due process of law. However, this does not mean the NFL cannot impose disciplinary action of its own. Commissioner Roger Goodell gave an update on how the NFL is approaching Watson’s case towards the conclusion of the league’s fall meeting.

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He reassured fans that the league continues to take its personal conduct policy seriously.

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We’re continuing our review like we would. As you know, we take the personal conduct policy seriously so our people are working diligently.

Roger Goodell told the press as reported by the Associated Press

The league had suspended Watson for 11 games and fined him $5 million along with subjecting him to mandatory evaluation before he could play again.

Deshaun Watson finds himself in an unfavorable situation yet again

The most recent lawsuit originated on September 9 in Harris County, Texas. The woman who remains anonymous alleged that Deshaun Watson had sexually assaulted her in 2020 in her apartment where he had gone on the pretext of taking her on a dinner date. She has sought over $1 million in damages from the quarterback.

Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson (Image via IMAGO)

The Cleveland Browns quarterback denied the allegations. He has not spoken on the issue and is letting the law take its course. The NFL’s initial response was to review the situation in detail and hold off from putting Watson on the Commissioner’s exempt list until there were enough details on the situation. If he were to be put on the exempt list, then Watson would have been on paid leave until the NFL reviews the case.

It has not been an easy return for Watson who is a mere shell of the player he was in Houston. The Browns traded their entire house and future to get Watson on a $230 million contract but the quarterback has struggled behind an offensive line that ranks amongst the worst in the NFL. With Cleveland off to a 1-5 start this season, his future with the Browns hangs in the balance.