Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson could still face NFL sanctions according to commissioner Roger Goodell.
Despite being cleared by two Texas grand juries on charges of sexual misconduct with massage therapists, Watson remains under investigation by the NFL for potentially violating the league’s code of conduct policy.
The League is conducting this investigation following 22 civil lawsuits against Watson. Once the investigation is complete, it will be decided whether a suspension, fine or no disciplinary action is necessary.
“Obviously these are very serious charges and we’re looking at it seriously,” Goodell said Tuesday. The Personal Code of Conduct is very important to us and there is no need for criminal consequences to pursue it. ยป
The one who was acquired from the Houston Texans, however, should not be on the commissioner’s exemption list, which means that Watson could be available to the Browns until the end of the investigation.
With the acquisition of the quarterback, the Browns granted him a contract of $ 230 million guaranteed with a low salary base for the first year of the agreement in order to collect possible losses following a possible suspension. Goodell did not close the door on an “appropriate” sanction as determined by the findings of the investigation.