“I really want to feel sorry for all the women I’ve influenced in this situation,” Watson said. “I would definitely like to have my decisions that I made in my life that got me into this position back, but I want to keep moving forward and growing and learning and showing that I’m a true person of character and that I’ll keep pushing forward.”
Before the brief interview, Watson repeatedly denied allegations of wrongdoing, including sexual assault and harassment, involving more than two dozen women. What he meant by “this situation” he did not go into detail in the interview.
In her written decision, Robinson cited Watson’s “lack of expressed remorse” as a factor in her chosen discipline.
Watson is awaiting the decision of former New Jersey Attorney General Peter Harvey, who was named as an agent for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, to hear the appeal.
When asked why the league continues to seek a harsher punishment for Watson, Goodell said: “Because we’ve seen the evidence.[Robinson]was very clear on the evidence, she reinforced the evidence that there were multiple violations here and they were egregious and it was predatory behavior.”
“These are things that we’ve always felt were very important to address in a responsible manner,” Goodell continued.
Watson’s suspension will not affect the three-game preseason. He started on Friday and only completed one run in five attempts.
Watson, a three-time Pro Bowler, did not play for the Texans last season due to a trade claim and the investigation into those allegations.
Earlier this year, the Browns traded three first-round picks for Watson and then signed him to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract, the most guaranteed money in NFL history.
In Texas, 24 civil lawsuits were filed against Watson; 23 were settled confidentially. Two grand juries declined to criminally indict Watson.
CNN’s Jillian Martin and Ben Morse contributed to this report.