A slow trickle of information continues to come out related to the disciplinary hearing for Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson. Once facing over 20 civil cases, Watson has settled all but four of those. The NFL and NFLPA contested the case in front of Judge Sue Robinson for three days spanning the end of June and the first day of July.
In a number of reports following, it was noted that the NFL only presented facts on five of the cases after speaking to 12 different women. There were also reports of the limited cases presented which led reporter Mike Florio to state he wouldn’t be surprised if Watson wasn’t suspended at all.
This week, Robinson has requested both sides turn in their briefings as the last step before she makes a decision. That decision could come anytime but most expect it will take place before training camp opens at the end of the month.
Florio reported Monday night that, in the end, the NFL’s case revolves around four women as the fifth may have lacked credibility:
As we hear it, the decision by the league to cut to five from four may not have been voluntary. The fifth woman’s claim, we’re told, may have been based solely on a media report. Judge Sue L. Robinson, we’re told, may have decided not to give that claim any credence at all, essentially throwing it out of the case.
Josina Anderson reported the same.
That means that Robinson will make her judgment based on what happened in those four cases and the information provided by both sides in relation to those cases. While the public is aware of the vast amount of complaints, the only number that will matter to Robinson is four.
It will be interesting how that impacts her decision and, if any, the length of discipline she hands down.