NFL Fans React To Latest Deshaun Watson Report

With training camps across the NFL opening up this week, there is still no resolution in sight to the Deshaun Watson saga.

The Cleveland Browns and their new starting quarterback are still awaiting the league’s decision on if he’ll be suspended and for how long.

Most feel that some sort of suspension is inevitable, and the feeling among many has been that he has a good chance of getting a hefty suspension that would keep him out of the entire 2022 season, if not longer.

Arbitrator Sue Robinson’s decision may overlap with the early part of camp for the Browns, according to one NFL reporter.

Sources in the Watson case believe arbitrator Sue Robinson’s decision could bump up against – or even overlap – with the first few days of #Browns camp. One opinion offered on the timeline is that she may be taking her time to give the league and Watson another shot at settling. https://t.co/PIoleTujc9

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) July 18, 2022

If Watson is indeed suspended for all of this season, he and the NFL Player Association (NFLPA) will sue the league in response.

Another note: If Watson ends up incurring the full-year suspension the #NFL is seeking – either from the arbitrator or a league appeal of Robinson’s decision – I’m told his camp and the @NFLPA have already made the decision to file a lawsuit against the league in federal court. https://t.co/KdwXJjhBz3

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) July 18, 2022

Across Twitter, fans are disgusted that this is this battle the NFLPA has apparently chosen to fight.

So lemme get this straight: Calvin Ridley just gambles, suspended a year… no word from the NFLPA.
Deshaun Watson has a pattern of inappropriate behavior and his case isn't improving… NFLPA suddenly wants to stand up for him

Bravo, @NFLPA. https://t.co/7rGmYmuoP5

— Caleb Mauldin (@cwmauldin00) July 19, 2022

https://twitter.com/MoonlyteDream/status/1549092619086508032

#Browns Deshaun Watson has already made the decision to sue the NFL in federal court if he's suspended a full season with the help of the @NFLPA, according to Yahoo.

Is this a scare tactic or does he think he's getting the full season

— Aikrie (@AikrieYT) July 18, 2022

If the @NFLPA sues on behalf of Deshaun Watson they’ll lose any and all credibility they’ve ever had by siding w a sexual predator who preyed on over 30 women. Just absolutely gross to even ponder.

— The Fearless Beard (@dietcheetoz) July 18, 2022

If the @NFLPA gets behind this….more problems. Just go away @deshaunwatson https://t.co/jENrtmuY4O

— Josh Feldmeyer (@JFelds422) July 18, 2022

https://twitter.com/URSure816/status/1549130631992512521

Sue the NFL???? How about STOP SEXUALLY HARRASSING WOMEN!!!! Dude is lucky he is still in the league. If anyone at a normal job did what he did, they would be fired permanently! Stop complaining @deshaunwatson and keep your hands to yourself!

— Derek Bryant (@DerekBr48868735) July 18, 2022

The Precedent Of Recent Suspensions

Some accuse the NFL of being inconsistent when it comes to players who have been involved in off-the-field incidents.

Just over a decade ago, former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was twice accused of sexual assault, and after the second incident, the league suspended him without pay for the first six contests of the 2010 season (it was later reduced to four contests).

In 2015, Tom Brady got a mere four-game suspension after the Deflategate scandal in which it was revealed his New England Patriots had illegally deflated the footballs used in their win over the Indianapolis Colts in the previous season’s AFC Championship Game.

Numerous players over the years have been suspended for domestic violence incidents, but the majority of them only lasted a fraction of a season.

Just a few months ago, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley was suspended for all of the upcoming season after he had gambled on games during the 2021 campaign.

In Major League Baseball, Trevor Bauer, a star pitcher who had just joined the Los Angeles Dodgers, was suspended for the equivalent of two full seasons after he was accused of sexual assault.

It had led to many expecting or even wanting Watson to be suspended for a lengthy amount of time.

With every passing day, does it really look like anyone's ready to welcome DeShaun Watson back to the football field? Now I see this playing out like Trevor Bauer in MLB: Eventually NFL will give him a multiple year ban & he has to apply to get back in.

— Jason Smith (@howaboutafresca) June 15, 2022

Some feel the Watson situation is more a symptom of a league-wide culture problem in the NFL than a disease in itself.

In all, many dozens of players have been suspended for various reasons, while the NBA, by comparison, has suspended far fewer players over its 75-year history.