In the wake of the Deshaun Watson controversy, the NFL revised its Personal Conduct Policy, which now increases the penalties players could face for violating the rules. Watson was only suspended six games for his misconduct because under the previous Personal Conduct Policy, the third-party disciplinary officer was limited in her authority to prescribe a stricter penalty for conduct that she thought was “predatory” and “egregious”.[1] In her final report, the arbitrator concluded that Watson’s behavior toward his accusers was not violent under the NFL’s definition of the term, and therefore, she was limited on the discipline that she could hand out.[2] While it may have been “entirely appropriate” to impose harsher punishments on players for what the NFL defined as nonviolent sexual conduct, the arbitrator concluded she did not have authority to do so, given the league’s disciplinary standards at the time.[3]
Fast forward two years, and the NFL has revised its Personal Conduct Policy to address the concerns brought to light in Watson’s final disciplinary report. The revised policy expands the offenses that warrant more serious penalties to include sexual assault “involving threat or coercion” and including a “pattern of conduct”, as well as “offenses that involving planning” as factors that could increase punishment.[4] Now, the policy provides a six-game baseline suspension without pay for first-time offenders who used physical violence, including domestic violence and sex assault “involving physical force” as well as sexual assault “involving threats or coercion.”[5] Further, the revised policy also states that the third-party disciplinary officer who first reviews a potential player conduct violation has the discretion to impose stricter penalties including an indefinite suspension “for other types of prohibited conduct.”[6]
Most recently, Baltimore Ravens veteran kicker Justin Tucker has been accused of sexual misconduct by sixteen massage therapists from alleged incidents that took place from 2012 to 2016.[7] The allegations are currently being reviewed using the league’s revised Personal Conduct Policy. Under the updated policy, Tucker does not need to be charged with a crime or sued civilly for the NFL to act.[8] If the NFL finds the allegations to be credible, Tucker will face a minimum six game suspension, and possibly an even longer one if the third-party arbitrator finds that he engaged in other types of prohibited conduct. Further, those involved in the disciplinary process would look to see if Tucker threatened or coerced any of his accusers. Finally, the disciplinary officer will also determine if the accusations portrayed a pattern of conduct by Tucker, which could lead to an indefinite suspension from the NFL.
Although the NFL has not finished its investigation into the allegations, history has shown that the league is moving more toward a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to conduct like this. If these allegations are in fact credible, Tucker is likely to receive a much harsher punishment than the one given to Deshaun Watson.
Image Credit: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6151879/2025/02/21/justin-tucker-allegations-nfl-investigation-ravens/
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/02/sports/football/deshaun-watson-nfl-discipline.html
[2] Id.
[3] Id.
[4] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/31/sports/football/nfl-conduct-policy-deshaun-watson.html
[5] Id.
[6] See supra note 1.
[7] https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6134402/2025/02/17/justin-tucker-sexual-misconduct-allegations-whats-next-nfl/
[8] Id.
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