Because the NFL continues to extend its investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations in opposition to Deshaun Watson, the NFL Gamers Affiliation is reportedly making ready an aggressive protection technique in help of the Browns quarterback.
Within the likelihood that Watson faces an “unprecedented” punishment by the league, the union will take particular intention on the NFL’s dealing with of Commanders proprietor Daniel Snyder, Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft, and Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones regarding their separate off-field controversies, in accordance with Professional Soccer Speak.
The union’s argument will reportedly be that the punishment of Watson isn't proportional to the punishment of these homeowners — with an emphasis on the NFL’s Private Conduct Coverage, which states: “Possession and membership or league administration have historically been held to a better customary and might be topic to extra vital self-discipline when violations of the Private Conduct Coverage happen.”
In line with PFT, the union will argue that Snyder, Kraft and Jones obtained little to no punishment within the aftermath of their separate conditions.
Snyder discovered himself in sizzling water this yr after accusations of a poisonous office, together with sexual harassment allegations inside the Commanders group. A separate report said that Washington was hiding cash from the remainder of the league through the use of two completely different accounting programs.
In 2019, Kraft was seen on digicam participating in intercourse acts in a South Florida therapeutic massage parlor, not lengthy earlier than the Patriots group received its sixth Tremendous Bowl. Though Kraft was charged with solicitation, a choose dominated in January that the footage of Kraft and different prospects should be erased as a result of they have been filmed throughout illegal surveillance, in accordance with the South Florida Solar-Sentinel.
As for Jones, the union will argue that the league failed to research the voyeurism scandal involving former Cowboys P.R. chief Wealthy Dalrymple — together with questions of what Jones knew, and whether or not he knew that Dalrymple was secretly recording a number of cheerleaders whereas they modified their garments, PFT reported.
The union will reportedly depend on the league’s 2020 applied unbiased course of for assessing potential Private Conduct Coverage violations dedicated by gamers. In Watson’s case, the NFL and its union collectively employed a Disciplinary Officer, retired federal choose Sue L. Robinson, who may resolve to permit the union to completely discover the style wherein the league dealt with Snyder, Kraft, and Jones.
Watson presently faces 24 lively civil lawsuits in opposition to him, filed by therapeutic massage therapists, alleging sexual misconduct. Final Tuesday, The New York Instances printed a report, which claimed Watson used “not less than” 66 feminine therapeutic massage therapists between the autumn of 2019 and the spring of 2021.
The NFL is within the midst of its personal investigation into 22 lawsuits, which grew to become public in March 2021. A further two lawsuits not too long ago got here to mild after two of Watson’s accusers spoke out on HBO’s “Actual Sports activities,” which aired in Could.
The Browns traded for Waston in March and signed him to a file five-year, $230 million contract absolutely assured, after two separate grand juries declined to indict him on prison fees in relation to the continuing sexual assault allegations.
Watson has continued to disclaim any wrongdoing for the reason that allegations have been made public final March. He did the identical on Tuesday whereas addressing the scenario to reporters amid Cleveland’s necessary minicamp.
“Like I’ve mentioned, I’ve by no means assaulted anybody, by no means harassed anybody, by no means disrespected anybody, by no means pressured anybody to do something,” Watson mentioned.
When requested if the Instances’ report that he used 66 therapeutic massage therapists appeared like an correct quantity, Watson responded: “I don’t suppose so.”
“On the similar time, that’s extra of a authorized query that I can’t get into particulars about,” he added. “You’ll most likely should ask my attorneys about that.”
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