Deshaun Watson to appear at NFL hearing with long suspension possible

Deshaun Watson’s legal team take on the NFL on Tuesday in front of a retired judge to determine his immediate future with the Cleveland Browns.

Former US district judge Sue Robinson, who was jointly appointed by the league and the NFL Players’ Association, will hold a hearing to determine whether Watson violated the NFL’s personal conduct policy and whether to impose discipline.

The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback has agreed to settle 20 of 24 civil lawsuits for sexual misconduct, but he’s still facing a significant penalty. A person familiar with the NFL’s position told the Associated Press last week the league is seeking a lengthy suspension for Watson based on the number of sexual assault allegations and conversations with the 11 women who were made available for interviews.

Watson’s team, led by renowned attorney Jeffrey Kessler, will try to argue there’s no basis for a long suspension. Two separate Texas grand juries declined to indict Watson on criminal complaints stemming from the allegations. Watson has denied any wrongdoing and vowed to clear his name.

The NFL has punished several players who were not given criminal charges for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. In 2010, Ben Roethlisberger received a six-game suspension after being accused of sexual assault by two women. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell later reduced the suspension to four games. Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott got six games in 2017 for domestic violence incidents.

On Monday, a woman who previously sued Watson filed a lawsuit against the Houston Texans, alleging his former team provided him with resources to enable his actions and “turned a blind eye” to his behavior.

This will be the first hearing for Robinson, who was