Aug 12, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) looks to throw the ball during the first quarter of a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

NFL accidentally leaked news on Deshaun Watson suspension early

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/19/22

Much will continue to be said about the 11-game suspension and $5 million fine given to Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson regarding allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions that was agreed upon via a settlement between the NFL and NFL Players Association and officially announced Thursday.

Institutions such as the National Organization of Women and individuals like former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III have blasted what they've deemed to be a soft punishment considering the numerous accusations made against Watson.

It appears the NFL managed to mishandle how news of Watson's ban broke on Thursday.

As Mike Florio previously noted for Pro Football Talk, a Twitter user with an account for the NFL Communications website discovered a press release filled with details about the suspension and fine on Thursday morning and shared the news on the social media platform. The problem at the time was that the NFL, its media partners and NFL Media members hadn't yet confirmed a final resolution for the Watson case.

Pro Football Talk asked what went wrong, and Florio posted the league's answer on Friday.

"An issue arose during the preparation of the release that was to be published on and distributed via nflcommunications.com," the NFL explained via an emailed statement. "We have taken steps to ensure this does not happen again."

Florio wrote on Thursday that ESPN's Adam Schefter originally claimed the settlement wasn't yet official at the time the Twitter user shared a screenshot from the NFL Communications website because "Watson had yet to actually sign the agreement." Florio also speculated that Watson may have still been "having second thoughts," which is interesting considering the 26-year-old controversially maintained his innocence later that same day.

The agreement has been signed, and the NFL has been left with egg on its figurative face for multiple reasons ahead of the second weekend of preseason action.

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