‘Is that even a serious punishment?’ – NFL fans react after Cleveland Browns’ Deshaun Watson gets six game suspension
When the Cleveland Browns acquired troubled Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson in a deal during the 2022 NFL offseason, it was a risky gamble. Despite the fact that the 26-year-old passer was the subject of over 20 lawsuits alleging sexual assault and misconduct, clubs were still interested in signing him.
In the end, Cleveland won the sweepstakes for his services, but there were still a lot of uncertainties for the franchise. Could Watson participate in 2022? If so, when would he make his debut? And how will he perform having missed the full 2021 season due to a disagreement with Houston?
All of those queries were undoubtedly pertinent, and some of them received an answer on Monday. After breaking the NFL’s personal conduct rules, Watson will receive a six-game suspension, but he will be allowed to play in 2022, starting in Week 7 against the Ravens.

Deshaun Watson has been suspended by the Cleveland Browns for the first six games of the 2022 season, more than two years after the initial civil complaint was brought against him.
During a three-day hearing conducted in her home state of Delaware in late June, Robinson, who was jointly chosen by the NFL and NFL Players Association to decide the issue and impose any punishment, listened to arguments from the league, the union, and Watson’s counsel.
Former federal judge Sue L. Robinson has found that Deshaun Watson violated the personal conduct policy and has suspended him six games, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 1, 2022
The union and Watson’s lawyer argued that the quarterback shouldn’t be punished at all, while the NFL had been fighting for the punishment for at least a year. All the way up until the hearing, the parties talked about a potential settlement, but they were unable to reach an agreement.
The league and Watson’s side held more settlement discussions in the days preceding Robinson’s decision, sources told ESPN’s Dan Graziano, but neither side ever thought they were near to a deal. According to insiders, the most Watson’s side stated it was ready to accept was a ban of six to eight games.
NFL fans react to Deshaun Watson’s suspension
One fan on Twitter wrote, “Trevor Bauer got a 324 game MLB suspension — two years — for non-criminal sexual assault allegations. Deshaun Watson, so far, got six NFL games for 30 women’s non-criminal allegations. Bauer’s suspension will cost him over $60 million, Watson’s suspension will cost him $300k.” Another fan tweeted, “If Calvin Ridley has to serve a year suspension, then Deshaun Watson should never play another down of football ever again.”
Here are a few more tweets regarding this situation:
The league should be ashamed of themself.
Big Ben – 1 civil lawsuit filed against him.
Watson – 24 civil lawsuits filed against him.
Deshaun Watson just got the exact same suspension Ben Roethlisberger did.
6 games. What an abomination.
— Mike Nicastro (@MikedUpSports1) August 1, 2022
For perspective, Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins received a 6-game suspension for a PED violation.
Deshaun Watson was facing over 24 sexual misconduct lawsuits.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 1, 2022
Sending love to all the women who have to cover this Deshaun Watson ruling today. They’re going to face nonstop abuse from fans who are either upset that his suspension only was 6 games, or thought it should have been longer. Please don’t let these assholes infect your spirit.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) August 1, 2022
If you want precedent here, Browns QB Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension mirrors past penalties for Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott and ex-Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger. Watson’s case—like Elliott’s and Roethlisberger’s—lacked criminal charges.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 1, 2022
If Deshaun Watson only got 6 games then Alvin Kamara better not see a fucking minute of suspension
— ⚜️Jedi Jay⚜️ Pelicans 44-27😃 (@jay_a_styles) August 1, 2022
Deshaun Watson received 0.2 games suspension for each woman that accused him of sexual assault.
0.2.
— Kate Magdziuk (@katemagdziuk) August 1, 2022
Kyle Brandt put the whole Deshaun Watson suspension thing PERFECT in words here.
When media like Good Morning Football and a guy like Kyle is talking about the suspension only being 6 games, then you KNOW the NFL did wrong pic.twitter.com/2sg0EL5GGN
— Clutch City Entertainment (@ClutchCityENTX) August 1, 2022
More NFL news:
- Super Bowl winner and TV personality Tony Siragusa passes away aged 55
- How many Super Bowl rings does Rob Gronkowski have?
- Deshaun Watson has settled 20 of 24 sexual misbehaviour cases filed against him
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