Here are the lone, palatable silver linings amid the news that Deshaun Watson will be suspended only six games for dozens of instances of sexual harassment and misconduct: The decision written by former federal Judge Sue L. Robinson leaves no doubt that Watson’s behavior was reprehensible, enough that the currently sycophantic fan base in Cleveland cannot deny the creepiness emanating from its quarterback (“more egregious than any before reviewed by the NFL,” Robinson wrote). He is not allowed to get a massage outside of the team facility in the interest of everyone’s safety. Not exactly a face-of-the-community type player the Jimmy and Dee Haslam family predictably coddled in their statement Monday, pathetically apologizing to those who were “triggered” by the ordeal.
More important, Robinson, who serves as the disciplinary officer appointed by the NFL and NFLPA, noted the league’s behavior in prior instances of domestic violence, sexual harassment, assault and misconduct had also been inconsistent—or at least pale in comparison to how it would like it to appear—and that the ball is in the league’s court to fix its infrastructure before expecting a judge to do its dirty work.
Gary Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports (Goodell); Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports (Watson)
