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Deshaun Watson receives largest player fine in NFL history, suspension increased to 11 games in settlement

Aug 18, 2022

Deshaun Watson will serve an 11-game suspension and pay a $5 million fine for multiple violations of the league’s personal conduct policy in what amounts to one of the most significant penalties in NFL history, sources have confirmed to Yahoo Sports.

The Cleveland Browns quarterback and the NFL have settled his disciplinary case prior to a final ruling by arbitrator Peter C. Harvey, following an agreement between the two sides on Thursday. The fine is the steepest ever levied against an NFL player.

There was no immediate comment from the NFL, the Browns or the NFL Players Association.

The settlement also includes mandatory mental health counseling for Watson, and the Browns and the NFL will donate $7 million to sexual assault prevention programs. It features a sizable suspension increase over the six-game ban handed down by arbitrator Sue L. Robinson earlier this month after Watson was accused by two dozen women of sexual assault and misconduct, which included no financial penalty. The NFL appealed that ruling and had been seeking an indefinite one-year suspension from Harvey, a former New Jersey attorney general who was selected by the league to rule on the appeal.

Source: Yahoo Sports

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