NFL AIMS TO SUSPEND WATSON FOR SEASON
The NFL will argue that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson should receive a “significant” suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, multiple people familiar with the case said Friday.
The league “probably” will seek a suspension of one full season for Watson, a person on Watson’s side of the case said Friday. A person familiar with the league’s view of the case cautioned to be “careful” about specifying a precise length at this point for the suspension the NFL will seek. But that person also said: “Significant would be the proper term.”
Watson faces 24 active civil lawsuits by women accusing him of sexual misconduct. The allegations include making inappropriate comments, exposing himself and forcing his penis on women’s hands during massage therapy sessions. Watson and his attorney, Rusty Hardin, have denied the allegations. Two grand juries in Texas declined to charge Watson with a crime. The NFL is preparing to present the findings of its investigation to Sue Robinson, the former U.S. district judge who is the disciplinary officer jointly appointed by the league and the NFL Players Association under the current version of the conduct policy.
The case would be finished, with no appeals possible, if Robinson rules that there was no violation of the personal conduct policy. If she rules that there was a violation of the policy and imposes a penalty, either side could appeal to Commissioner Roger Goodell.
More NFL
Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney , DN.Y., the chairwoman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform wrote that she found no “valid reason” for Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder’s refusal to testify at next week’s Capitol Hill hearing on the team’s workplace issues and urged him to “reconsider his decision.”
The NFL fined Commanders head coach Ron Rivera $100,000 and docked the team two OTA practices in 2023 for excessive hitting during their offseason program this year.
The Ravens have signed linebacker Steven Means, who started 29 games for the Falcons across the 2018, 2020 and 2021 seasons.
The NFL has suspended New York Giants linebacker Justin Hilliard without pay for the first two games of the regular season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.
Tennis
Rafael Nadal confirmed at a news conference in Majorca, Spain, that he will travel to London on Monday with the intention of playing Wimbledon, which begins June 27. Nadal, who has won the first two Grand of the year for a record 22, had cast doubt on Wimbledon because of the chronic problem with his left foot.
Matteo Berrettini is back into the Queen’s Club semifinals, beating
Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-2. The No. 2 seed will play Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands for a place in the final.
Top-ranked Daniil Medvedev beat Roberto Bautista Agut 6-2, 6-4 to reach the semifinals of the Halle Open.
Coco Gauff reached the semifinals on grass for the first time after beating Karolina Pliskova 7-5, 6-4 at the Berlin Open on Friday to set up a match with Ons Jabeur.
Also
UEFA has cleared its own executive committee member Nasser alKhelaifi of any punishment despite finding his club Paris Saint-Germain guilty of misconduct. The case investigated reported attempts to confront match officials after PSG lost in the Champions League in March.
Sadio Mane looks to be headed for Bayern Munich, ending his trophy-filled six-year spell at Liverpool in a move that would finally split up one of the most devastating forward lines in the history of English soccer.
The Michigan Supreme Court has rejected a final appeal from sports doctor Larry Nassar, who was sentenced to decades in prison for sexually assaulting gymnasts.
Former NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer was involved in a crash that killed a pedestrian in southwest Missouri earlier this month. Police say Bowyer’s vehicle struck a woman walking on an exit ramp June 5 near Osage Beach. Bowyer stopped immediately and called 911. The crash report says Bowyer provided a roadside blood sample that recorded no alcohol.
England broke its own world record for the highest total in oneday international cricket by smashing 498-4 to set up a 232-run win over the Netherlands on Friday.