Here is how Deshaun Watson’s punishment compares with other recent NFL suspensions
It’s not the final word on punishment for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, but a judge recommended Monday that he be suspended for six games for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy.
Although that’s the decision of U.S. District Judge Sue L. Robinson, the NFL can appeal the case to commissioner Roger Goodell or his designee, and that ruling would be final, per an NFL.com story.
The punishment comes after two dozen women filed civil lawsuits accusing Watson of sexual misconduct. Twenty of the cases have been settled.
While the six-game suspension can be changed, how does it compare to others? Here is a look at some notable recent NFL suspensions.
Multiple seasons
Since 2015, Chiefs wide receiver Josh Gordon has been suspended by the NFL multiple times for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. He’s missed more than three full NFL seasons. Gordon signed with the Chiefs in September after being reinstated by the NFL. He’s had no suspensions in Kansas City.
17 games
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley received a full-season suspension in March for betting $1,500 on parlay bets on NFL games on a mobile app. He can apply for reinstatement in 2022.
16 games
While with the Baltimore Ravens, tight end Darren Waller was suspended for the 2017 season for a second violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy.
12 games
The Raiders’ Vontaze Burfict was suspended for the rest of the season (12 games) for “repeated violations of unnecessary roughness rules” in 2019.
8 games
Seattle linebacker Mychal Kendricks was suspended indefinitely after being found guilty of insider trading. He missed eight Seahawks games in the 2018 season.
8 games
Browns running back Kareem Hunt was suspended for eight games in 2019 for violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy after a pair of incidents. One involved pushing and kicking a woman at a hotel and also for allegedly punching a man.
6 games
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett hit an opponent on the head with his own helmet in 2019. Garrett was suspended indefinitely and missed Cleveland’s final six games. He was reinstated for the 2020 season.
