Self-awareness is one of the most important abilities a human being can possess. “Yours Truly” Orenthal James Simpson seems to lack this ability. Amidst the news that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will be suspended for six games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy as ruled on by disciplinary officer Judge Sue L. Robinson, O.J. decided to weigh in and offer his thoughts on the backlash surrounding what many see as a light punishment.
“Hey, man, that’s it! That should be it! ‘Simpson said in a video posted to Twitter. “People are saying why would he settle if he was innocent? Hey, look, guys. He’s not going to change anybody’s minds no matter what he does. He can’t change my mind. I think he probably was out of line with some of the girls and I think some of the girls jumped on board because there was a chance of making money.”
You hired her, she made her decision. Respect it!!! #DeshaunWatson #NFL pic.twitter.com/32ki7aOL0i
— O.J. Simpson (@TheRealOJ32) August 1, 2022
You, O.J. Simpson. A man that was the lead suspect in a double homicide of your ex-wife and her boyfriend. You, O.J. Simpson. A man was charged and convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping in a memorabilia heist gone wrong. You believe that right now we should be hearing from you about the Deshaun Watson situation.
Whether or not you believe Simpson is a murderer is irrelevant. He is someone that has been involved in too many incidents running afoul of the law to be weighing in on a serious matter like this.
Social media sites like Twitter often remove content posted by certain people for nebulous reasons. Maybe someone like Simpson shouldn’t be allowed to post content around serious matters like this.
The six-game suspension certainly seems light, but it doesn’t matter what anyone outside of Robinson, the NFL and the NFL Players Association thinks. These are the only parties that can make a ruling or appeal a ruling.
Watson has been accused of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions in civil lawsuits filed by 25 women. The encounters alleged in the lawsuits took place from 2020 to 2021, while he was a member of the Houston Texans.
One of the 25 lawsuits was dropped following a judge’s ruling last April that the plaintiffs needed to amend their petitions to disclose their names. In June, Watson settled 20 of the 24 lawsuits he was facing; on Monday, he agreed to settle three of the remaining four, according to Houston attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the women suing Watson.
All of this is gross and disgusting.
The sheer volume of complainants means at the very least something creepy was going on. We can wax on about the league and it’s obvious disdain for women. The Watson case is just the latest example. How many NFL players accused of domestic violence, sexual assault or violence are still playing in the league?
In her ruling Robinson wrote:
“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.”
The NFLPA in a statement earlier said it would “stand by” the decision of Judge Robinson. The NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell have until this Thursday to decide if they will appeal.
