N.F.L. Names Advisor to Hear Deshaun Watson Appeal

Harvey helped the N.F.L. rewrite its personal conduct policy in 2014 and sits on the league’s diversity advisory committee created in March. He was a member of the four-person panel that advised Goodell in 2017 during the N.F.L.’s investigation and subsequent suspension of Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, who was accused of domestic violence but not criminally charged.

Goodell suspended Elliott for six games after consulting with the advisory panel.

Tony Buzbee, the lawyer for Watson’s accusers, held a news conference Thursday afternoon in which he called the N.F.L.’s record on violence against women “sketchy and sad,” and he urged Goodell to issue a stronger penalty. Ashley Solis, the licensed massage therapist who filed the first lawsuit against Watson in March 2021, read a statement criticizing the N.F.L.’s handling of the accusations against Watson. Solis settled her claim against Watson the night before Robinson released her decision.

“What do the actions of the N.F.L. say to little girls who have suffered at the hands of someone perceived to have power?” Solis said. “That it’s not a big deal? That they don’t care?” She said that is the message she had taken from the league’s response.

Goodell and the league have been criticized for years because the commissioner handled all aspects of violations of the personal conduct policy, including gathering facts, handing down punishments and hearing appeals.

The union fought to diminish some of Goodell’s powers in the latest C.B.A. by having a jointly approved disciplinary officer listen to presentations from the league and union and mete out a penalty. But if the disciplinary officer finds there is a violation of the personal conduct policy, Goodell or his designee still have final say over the extent of the discipline.

During its 15-month investigation into the allegations against Watson, the N.F.L. interviewed 49 people, including Watson, 12 of his accusers and other witnesses. Not all of the women who filed lawsuits against Watson chose to interview with the league.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/04/sports/football/peter-harvey-deshaun-watson-nfl.html