NFL to appeal Deshaun Watson's 6-game suspension

The big picture: Disciplinary officer and former federal judge Sue L. Robinson found Watson violated three provisions of the personal conduct policy including sexual assault and conduct posing a genuine danger to the safety and well-being of another person.

• The league recommended Watson be suspended for "at least the entire 2022 NFL regular and post-season," but Robinson declined based on precedents and the league’s current policy, per her ruling.
• She added that a longer suspension could be justified if it was already outlined in the personal conduct policy.
• "Although this is the most significant punishment ever imposed on an NFL player for allegations of non-violent sexual conduct, Mr. Watson’s pattern of conduct is more egregious than any before reviewed by the NFL," Robinson wrote in her findings.

What's next: The National Football League Players Association has two business days to respond in writing.

• The union could challenge the appeal ruling in federal court, setting the stage for a prolonged fight, AP writes.
• McCarthy said there’s no timeline for Goodell or whomever he appoints to make a ruling.