The Cleveland Browns’ regular season won’t begin until Sept. 11 when they play the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, but the team has already notched the most unconscionable of victories.
Deshaun Watson, accused by at least two dozen women of committing sexual misconduct against them in Texas, was suspended for six games for violating the National Football League’s personal conduct policy. He wasn’t fined, and he’ll be able to suit up when the Browns face the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 23.
Retired federal Judge Sue Robinson imposed the punishment. The NFL and the players union jointly appointed her to oversee player discipline, and Watson’s case became the league’s first instance of punishment meted out by an independent disciplinary officer instead of Commissioner Roger Goodell.
