NFL does it again - Watson gets 6 games...SIX.

It is an union issue and what agreed upon in the CBA.

Any harsher punishment and the NFLPA would have sued the NFL. Goodell doesn't have power to suspend players as he wishes.

This is one issue with unions, they always have to defend even the worst employees for the principle of defending the signed contract. If they said "we agree he is a creep, suspend him forever" then the signed CBA becomes meaningless.

You obviously aren't paying attention.

The NFL did NOT make this ruling. This was an independent agreed upon arbitor(who happens to be a retired federal judge) that handed down a 15 page decision regarding this case.

When you read all 15 pages, post again.

NFL is very short on QBs and decided that it needed Watson playing this season more than it needed to show the world that it would not tolerate sexual harassment and assault. I also would not be surprised if this is a broader effort to sweep this issue under the rug in the NFL. Watson may have some leverage in that I am sure he can name names of players who have also gone to "sports massage" for the full groinal massage to completion.

Dude, did I not write exactly THIS

"Now apparently this suspension was decided on my an internal yet somehow "independent" arbitrator (that sits between the head office and the players association) so the league technically can appeal it at which it would go to Goodell to make a final ruling."

when you read my post, post again you absolute clown

He already essentially sat out a year, so it is more like a 23-game ban. I don't care for the guy, but a lot of these accusations are likely profit seeking. He utilized a prostitution service that was essentially disguised as a massage business (think along the lines of Orchids of Asia and Robert Kraft). Once they realized who it was they were providing services for, they sent him as many different women as they could and then started in with the accusations. They reached civil settlements with the Texans and Watson likely cracking $100 million combined (far more than they could make simply turning tricks for broke johns).

All these "victims" are likely millionaires. The guy is a disgrace and a fool and he lost a bundle of money by being an idiot, but a lot of these women are likely not entirely "victims".

why do you support suspending a BIPOC Pro Bowl Quarterback six games?

I'm in a union and I hate the NFL/MLB unions.

The reason PED use is basically allowed in the NFL is the union.

Everything the OP says is true. I'm close to done with the NFL- I rarely watch anymore.

I wonder if it's because you can't "identify" with the players because their uniforms cover them completely from head to toe.

They can do what they want, publicly, and we don't really see them when they're playing.

They're like robots, so who cares if they fill their bodies with drugs that are killing them. When they're through (and what's the average career? less than 3 years) who cares? we won't have to deal with them until we read about them dying in their 40's or 50's after suffering with brain damage and cancer.

Watson is getting paid, though last year and the 6 games this as well.

Watson is a dirtbag and cleveland is tainted by this as well.

Houston Police botched this for the grand jury, so the Texans would not look like idiots last years anyways. That does not make watson innocent in this, in any way.

Watson sat out last year because he demanded a trade, before any allegations even came out. And he was paid for the entirety of it. Absurd to classify that as a 23 game ban, when it had nothing to do with whats being alleged here. Moronic take that I keep seeing parroted.

I counted 5 things in your post that are false.

I visited some massage palors in San Diego in my navy days, You pay so much for the massage, while getting it you will be asked if you need anything else which will cost you more $$$$ which goes directly from you to her. All these girls make their real money after the massage. I think everybody gets how that biz works, really hard to feel sorry for anyone in that business. Obviously Watson being an NFL QB could have gone about this differently but he didn't, yep he was stupid about it.

Being everything about this sucks, six games seems about right, might as well suck with that also.

Not sure I'd want a QB the leader of my team being as damn dumb a Watson was, I'd want him nowhere around my team, way too much stupidity,

Why am I not shocked that the OP knows virtually nothing about the disciplinary processes of the domestic professional sports leagues?

The Browns had the full opportunity to not trade for him as this issue was public when they made the trade and paid him.

Shouldn't you have more of an issue with the Browns?

Sal....I'm sure you're an intelligent chap despite your inconsistencies but, if you understand the full process, why did you make the subject line about the NFL when the NFL did not make this decision?

As a lifelong Browns fan I'm disgusted by the signing of Watson.

All the other Browns fans I talk to are hoping Mayfield wins the starting job in Carolina and hangs 50 on the Browns in week 1.

First of all he sat out all of last year. Second of all he denied all the allegations from money hungry women and hookers. Third of all the decision for the suspension length was made by a WOMAN. So many clueless, reactionary, emotional people giving their two cents on something they know nothing about.

If you don't think the NFL had anything to do w/the ruling, whether it was directly or indirectly, you need a refresher on economics. It's all pretty disgusting and the OP makes some good points, but I've said it before and will say it again... As soon as we start counting on professional athletes and the leagues they play in as anything more than entertainment, we need to take a hard look at ourselves 1st.

The term is “pastime” not “past time.”