Attorney representing 2 dozen Deshaun Watson accusers urges NFL Commissioner to 'do the right thing'

A lawyer representing two dozen women who have accused Deshaun Watson of sexual assault or harassment said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has a chance to "do the right thing" now that the league has appealed a six-game suspension for the Cleveland Browns quarterback.

"Every victim of sexual assault is watching Roger Goodell and the NFL right now... Mr. Goodell, what will you do? It's never too late to do the right thing," attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the women who sued Watson over their allegations, said Thursday. "That's what these women and those watching are expecting."

The NFL has sought to keep Watson off the field in 2022 and appealed an independent disciplinary officer's decision that fell short of the league's recommended penalty.

Afterward, he told CBS: "I've said and will say: Bravo to the NFL. It's never too late to do the right thing."

The NFL is seeking an indefinite suspension of at least one year plus a significant fine in appealing the suspension, a person familiar with the filing told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the matter isn't public knowledge, also said Watson would be required to undergo evaluation and treatment as determined by medical experts before he could be reinstated.

Watson, who was with the Texans for four seasons before sitting out last season and then being traded to Cleveland in March, recently settled 23 of 24 lawsuits filed by the women. Two grand juries in Texas declined to indict Watson on criminal complaints brought by 10 of the women.

Watson has denied any wrongdoing. He has continued to practice with the Browns while awaiting resolution of his case.

Ashley Solis, the first woman to file a lawsuit against Watson,