NFL expands sexual assault policy, penalties in wake of Deshaun Watson's suspension

Yahoo Sports / July 31, 2023

The NFL expanded the sexual assault portion of its personal conduct policy on Monday in the wake of Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s 11-game suspension last season, according to The New York Times’ Jenny Vrentas.

The NFL altered its personal conduct policy to include sexual assault “involving threats or coercion,” and included a “pattern of conduct” and “offenses that involve planning” as factors that can lead to more serious penalties. The changes came in response to a judgment that former federal judge Sue L. Robinson issued last year in regards to Watson, per the report.

SNIP

The new policy now includes sexual assault “involving threats or coercion” to the list of offenses that carry stricter punishment. A second violation, per the report, will result in banishment from the NFL. The revised policy also gives power to a third-party investigator to impose stricter penalties on players “for other types of prohibited conduct.” Including threats and coercion as means for sexual assault now brings the NFL’s policy in line with Major League Baseball and the NBA.

MORE AT THE LINK: https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-expands-sexual-assault-policy-penalties-in-wake-of-deshaun-watsons-suspension-195114130.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAHD8Fqoav86gM5MD7lEo2WlN-iFUjpTa6ymb6iMZAV7Jz1fM_RYI4NBRuire2MXDUjc9s6DTskK2iLWzT0Maqv3weoScPcj0EdH-3EW9_yZTCFSF8GcNmm1ascfj-zLfnl2aew-t7eKdUFR3Qp28HDk8JkcwIdol5-sF3Xx5f58u

Very much needed