The biggest storyline heading into the NFL training camp was finally resolved yesterday, at least we think so. After a three-day hearing, retired federal judge Sue L. Robinson issued a 16-page decision detailing why Deshaun Watson’s suspension should be for six games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. The ruling was stunning given that she admitted he had displayed “a pattern of behavior” that was “egregious”. Robinson viewed the assault of the 24 women as being “non-violent”, and she felt the NFL’s recent history of punishing assault accusations left her with no choice but to impose only face a six-game suspension. The league had requested that Watson’s suspension be for a year, and it retains the right to appeal with the matter decided by Commissioner Roger Goodell, or someone appointed by the Commissioner. The league should appeal the decision, and if it doesn’t it will add to the list of questionable suspensions in recent memory. In this article, we will discuss the five suspensions that make this NFL ruling look bad.
5. Plaxico Burress shot himself and got suspended-Burress will be remembered for catching the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLII as the Giants beat the undefeated New England Patriots in 2008. However, after starting the following season 10-1, Burress shot himself in the leg with his Glock at the Latin Quarter nightclub in New York City. Giants teammate Antonio Pierce eventually drove him to the New York Presbyterian Hospital where he checked in under a false name. The media caught wind of the story, and it led to the arrest of Burress. Then, the Mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, was determined to make an example out of Burress and was harshly sentenced to 2 years in prison. The Giants backed by the league punished the player through a four-game suspension. The suspension looks far worse given that the man only hurt himself compared to nearly 30 women assaulted in Watson’s situation!
4. Greg Hardy’s assault- Hardy was an elite pass rusher for the Carolina Panthers, and the Dallas Cowboys signed him to wreak havoc on quarterbacks. However, in 2014, Hardy received a 10-game suspension for multiple violations of the personal conduct policy in an incident involving his then-girlfriend Nicole Holder. After an appeal, the suspension got reduced to four games. Hardy was accused of throwing Holder against a bathroom wall, throwing her on a bed covered with assault rifles, choking her, and threatening her life during an altercation at his apartment. Greg was convicted on charges of domestic violence in a bench trial. However, an appeal of the case was dismissed in February 2015 when Holder stopped cooperating with authorities. The public became furious about the reduction in the suspension because photos were leaked on the internet detailing the abuse. Again, Hardy was suspended for being abusive to one woman but Watson is accused of non-violent assault against nearly 30 women.
3. Deondre Hopkins PED violation- Hopkins was a top 5 receiver after being traded to the Arizona Cardinals. However, he got suspended six games by the NFL for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Deondre claimed at the time, “there was 0.1% of Ostarine found in my system. If you know what that is, it’s contamination, not something directly taken. I don’t take any supplements, I’ve never taken supplements, I barely take vitamins. So for something like that to happen to me, obviously, I was shocked.” You may not believe Hopkins’ story but the fact that a PED violation is the same penalty as assaulting nearly 30 women will not sit well with most rational thinking people.
2. Tom Brady was suspended for deflategate-the New England Patriots demolished the Colts in their January 2015 AFC Championship Game by the scoreline of 45-7. Brady finished the game going 23-35, 226 YDS, 3 TD, and 1 INT which was an average performance for the elite quarterback. However, after the game, the Colts complained that the footballs used by the Patriots were underinflated. As a result, scientific experiments were conducted, and circumstantial evidence was used to determine that the golden boy Tom Brady more “probable than not was at least generally aware” of the inappropriate activities of two Patriots personnel to deflate footballs. In the 22 games after Deflategate, Brady completed 65.3 percent of his passes with 305.2 yards per game with 51 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Brady was not fully compliant with the investigation but it is humorous to think that Brady got four games and the egregious actions of Watson will get him only two games more.
1. Ray Rice assault- the former Running Back knocked out his then-fiancée with a left hook at the Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The NFL issued a bandaid penalty of a 2-game suspension. However, after the video surfaced, the NFL shifted the blame to Rice for lying to Goodell about what had happened inside the elevator. The swift condemnation by the public, sponsors, and media led to an indefinite suspension by Commissioner Goodell, and Rice failed to restart his career in the league. However, a 2-game suspension for domestic violence is a ridiculous ruling.
This ruling for Watson’s case brings our minds back to how the NFL has constantly failed to hold players accountable to the proper degree. Only time will tell if Deshaun Watson becomes number on this list.