Browns ownership: Deshaun Watson 'is remorseful that this situation has caused much heartache to many'

NFL disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson has ruled that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson should serve a six-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy regarding allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions. Judge Robinson's ruling is not necessarily final, though, as the NFL and NFL Players Association have three business days to file an appeal. 

On Monday afternoon, Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam released a statement regarding the status of the star signal-caller Cleveland acquired from the Houston Texans via a blockbuster trade in March. 

"Throughout this process, Deshaun and his representatives have abided by the newly created and agreed upon process for the NFLPA and the NFL to defer to the objective Judge Sue L. Robinson to comprehensively review all information and make a fair decision," the Haslam couple said. "We respect Judge Robinson's decision, and at the same time, empathize and understand that there have been many individuals triggered throughout this process. We know Deshaun is remorseful that this situation has caused much heartache to many and he will continue the work needed to show who he is on and off the field, and we will continue to support him."

When the Browns officially introduced Watson to media members as their new player in March, neither Jimmy Haslam nor general manager Andrew Berry directly said they believed the 26-year-old who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and had two grand juries decline to indict him on criminal charges. As Mike Florio noted for Pro Football Talk, Judge Robinson essentially explained in her full 15-page decision that she "doesn’t believe" Watson. 

"It is difficult to give weight to a complete denial when weighed against the credible testimony of the investigators who interviewed the therapists and other third parties," Robinson wrote. 

The NFL announced Monday that it is "reviewing Judge Robinson’s imposition of a six-game suspension and will make a determination on next steps." Meanwhile, the NFLPA claimed on Sunday evening it will "stand by" Judge Robinson’s ruling and won't appeal. 

Also on Monday, the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center criticized the six-game ban it said "mirrors the flaws in our criminal justice systems and sends a grave message to our communities."