Credit: Unsplash

Watson has received multiple accusations of sexual misconduct.

On Monday, NFL disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson ruled that Deshaun Watson, quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, would face a six-game suspension for violations of the league’s personal conduct policies. Specifically, Watson is under suspicion of several instances of sexual misconduct while traveling with the team.

Robinson wrote in her report that “the NFL carried its burden to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Mr. Watson engaged in sexual assault (as defined by the NFL) against the four therapists identified in the Report. Mr. Watson violated the Policy in this regard.”

Robinson added that Watson’s “predatory conduct cast ‘a negative light on the League and its players.'”

In addition to his suspension, Robinson ruled that Watson is “to limit his massage therapy to Club-directed sessions and Club-approved massage therapists for the duration of his career, and so [I] impose this mandate as a condition to his reinstatement.” She added that Watson is “to have no adverse involvement with law enforcement, and must not commit any additional violations of the Policy.”

BREAKING: The NFL suspends Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson six games for violating its personal conduct policy following accusations of sexual misconduct made against him by two dozen women in Texas. https://t.co/oOB1Mby2xX

— The Associated Press (@AP) August 1, 2022

“We respect Judge Robinson’s decision, and at the same time, empathize and understand that there have been many individuals triggered throughout this process,” Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement Monday. “We know Deshaun is remorseful that this situation has caused much heartache to many and he will continue the work needed to show who he is on and off the field, and we will continue to support him.”

Watson has denied any violations and insisted that he regrets none of his actions.