Among those offering their thoughts on the six-game suspension for Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson.
After the ruling was handed down by independent disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson, the Falcons utility back tweeted ‘free my dawg’ in reference to WR Calvin Ridley who was suspended for the entirety of the 2022 season for gambling on NFL games.
While the NFLPA has pledged not to appeal Watson’s suspension imposed by the former federal judge, under the collective bargaining agreement, commissioner Roger Goodell wields the power to appeal the suspension and potentially add to it. The league has three days to respond, saying in a statement that it will “review the imposition of a six-game suspension and will make a determination on next steps.”
As for Ridley, it’s unlikely that the push from Patterson, and others comparing the two situations, will amount to much. General manager Terry Fontenot didn’t offer his opinion on the matter while speaking with the media in Flowery Branch, only opting to say that “it’s a league matter.”
Two Texas grand juries declined to pursue criminal charges against Watson following accusations of sexual misconduct before 25 civil suits—23 of which have since been settled and one case was dropped. The Texans also settled cases with 30 women due to their potential enabling of Watson’s accused behavior.
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In Ridley’s case, the league emphasized the importance of “upholding the integrity of the game” and that betting on games “threatened to damage public confidence in professional football.” For those comparing Watson and Ridley’s suspensions, 92.9 The Game’s Mike Bell shared his opinion that it’s an ‘apples-to-oranges’ situation.
It remains to be seen what the Falcons will do with Ridley if/when he is reinstated following the 2022 season as the receiver will be under contract for 2023 with a cap hit of $11 million.