He was treated differently than all the other cases, including after Ray Rice.
The NFL got a back eye, because they engaged in a deliberate coverup. They didn't get nearly as black an eye as they deserved.
Ray Rice was suspended two games because he was on one of Goodell's "status teams." If Ray Rice had been on the 49ers or Cowboys he would have been suspended for a year. But since he was on the Ravens, Patriots, or Steelers, he only got two games.
Ok the idea that the Ravens are a “status team” is completely laughable. And you include the Pats in that ridiculous list completely forgetting deflate gate. There are no status teams. I actually think the 2 game suspension was fine, nobody ever bothers to do schedule math on suspensions, they call 2 game NFL suspensions short and 20 game MLB suspensions long and they’re actually identical. 1/8 of the season is a good suspension.
Part of the problem with the Watson situation is that it’s constantly evolving. This time last year it was 20 odd women. By the end of the season it was 50+ now it’s 66. If they’d suspended him at 23 would they have to increase it at 53? More at 66? Or is he punished already?
And let’s keep in mind they’ve gotten in trouble in the past for overreacting. Pacman Jones got suspended often for incidents and then NONE of those even resulted in charges, forget convictions. Punish first hasn’t really worked out for them.
The only thing I’d really fault the league for is silence. What they should have done last year when it became clear this thing complicated and evolving they should have announced that this was wait and see. Yes they would be investigating but the situation is changing too regularly and quickly for them to act until they truly have a scope. Which might not be quick.
Everybody acting like it’s already done and Watson won’t get punished is jumping the gun. This ain’t done. And it ain’t gonna be. Not this year. Let it play out. That’s the smart move