Deshaun Watson and the NFL have agreed on a deal that may see the quarterback suspended for 11 video games and fined $5m over sexual misconduct allegations made towards him.
It is reportedly the most important superb ever handed out to an NFL participant.
The Cleveland Browns star had earlier been handed a six-game suspension by an unbiased arbiter for violating the league’s private conduct coverage.
But the league had stated it needed to droop Watson for the entire season and had already appealed the arbiter’s resolution.
Watson, who has a five-year fully-guaranteed contract price $230m, was accused of sexual misconduct by greater than two dozen Houston therapeutic massage therapists however was by no means criminally charged.
Instead, he has settled 24 of 25 civil lawsuits introduced towards him by an legal professional for the plaintiffs, Tony Buzbee.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stated that the settlement additionally requires Watson to adjust to an expert remedy plan.
“Deshaun has committed to doing the hard work on himself that is necessary for his return to the NFL,” Mr Goodell stated.
“This settlement requires compliance with a professional evaluation and treatment plan, a significant fine, and a more substantial suspension.”
The 26-year-old quarterback was traded from the Houston Texans to the Browns over the offseason for a bundle that included three first-round picks.
In a press release on Thursday, Watson stated that he was “grateful” that the “disciplinary process has ended.”
“I apologise once again for the pain this situation has caused. I take accountability for the decision I made,” stated Watson.
The athlete had beforehand provided a direct apology to the ladies concerned, earlier than the crew’s first preseason recreation earlier this month.
“I want to say that I’m truly sorry to all of the women that I have impacted in this situation,” he stated.
“The decisions that I made in my life that put me in this position I would definitely like to have back, but I want to continue to move forward and grow and learn and show that I am a true person of character and I am going to keep pushing forward.”
Source: www.unbiased.co.uk