Browns Deshaun Watson received a fine of $25,000 and was placed on suspension for the first 11 games of the 2017 season.

Browns' Deshaun Watson suspended 11 games

Deshaun Watson has been suspended from football activities indefinitely after being charged with three misdemeanors stemming from his arrest last month.

A judge ordered Watson to pay a fine of $100,000 and serve 250 hours of community service for allegedly assaulting his mother at his home. He was also given two other misdemeanor charges -- reckless conduct and resisting arrest without violence -- for allegedly damaging a police cruiser during a subsequent arrest.

Watson's suspension comes after he was arrested twice between Nov. 14-15 for suspicion of driving under the influence. According to court records obtained by ESPN, Watson was alleged to have struck a bouncer outside a bar early Nov. 14 and then later allegedly drove away from officers who were attempting to stop him while intoxicated.

The following morning, he was pulled over again around 4:30 a.m., where his blood alcohol content was measured at 0.20 percent. Two days later, Watson was booked on a third DUI charge.

He pleaded not guilty to all three charges prior to his first appearance in court Dec. 20, according to Florida State University Police. However, a jury trial was scheduled for Jan. 25 before Judge William Fuller. On Monday, Watson entered no contest pleas to the lesser offenses, according to a statement released by FSU spokesman Stan Wilcox. A conviction on any of those counts could have resulted in a sentence of up to 12 months in jail.

Watson will now miss the rest of the Seminoles' season and cannot play until Oct. 15. His suspension begins immediately and lasts through the Orange Bowl. After the bowl game, he will be allowed to return to action only if he completes a treatment program approved by the NCAA and the school.

Watson was named ACC Offensive Player of the Year and consensus national player of the year entering the 2018 season.

 

Deshaun Watson's season was cut short after he suffered a severe leg injury at the end of the Texans' Week 6 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. After reviewing video evidence, officials determined Watson hit his own player while attempting to recover his own fumble. Watson was charged with a violation of Rule 12, Section 2, and Article 1(b), which states that the offense includes "striking an opponent above the waistline of his helmet with either hand or any object". He received a fine of $25,000 and was placed on suspension for the first 11 games of the 2017 season.

The ruling came just days after the NFL announced their decision to suspend four players across two teams for "a variety of off-field incidents", including New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Sedrick Ellis for violating the league's personal conduct policy stemming from a domestic dispute. However, despite the punishments handed down, both Watson and Ellis did not face any further discipline.

While Watson's suspension may have been short-lived, his career seemed to take a turn for the worse last week after he suffered a broken bone in his lower left leg. While X-rays and scans were negative, the Texans quarterback underwent surgery to repair the injury. Team doctors said they would work closely with the team's medical staff in determining how long Watson would miss.

Watson had a breakout rookie campaign in 2016, throwing for 4,051 yards with 27 touchdowns and only six interceptions. His numbers dipped slightly in 2017, where he threw for just over 2,500 yards with 17 TDs and 15 INTs. In addition, he completed just 60 percent of his passes -- well below his career average of 67.8 percent.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in announcing the suspensions that the league takes the issue seriously, saying they "are committed to making our game safer."

we also want them to act safely and avoid unnecessary risk. We know that some players feel the need to make aggressive physical contact with opponents, and we don't want that. That behavior should never happen. Our focus on rule enforcement on the field will continue."

Goodell went on to say that the league is working with the union to develop a program for increased education on player safety.

This includes a series of educational sessions for players, trainers, coaches and referees throughout the offseason, preseason and regular season, followed by additional mandatory training for players and coaches throughout the year, and culminating with the creation of an online resource for players and fans."

Watson's teammate DeAndre Hopkins praised him for his actions after the incident and said he wishes he could've helped his friend out.

“He always puts others before himself. He’s a great leader. I wish I could go back and help him," Hopkins said. "I love him like a brother.”

Hopkins added that he’s seen the good side of Watson and sees the positive influence he makes on people around him.