An impartial investigation launched by the NFL discovered no proof the Cleveland Browns purposely misplaced video games in the course of the 2016 and 2017 seasons as former coach Hue Jackson claimed
CLEVELAND — The NFL handed former Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson one other loss.
The league introduced Monday that it discovered “no proof” the Browns purposely misplaced video games or incentivized personnel to take action after Jackson alleged in February the workforce tried to lose in the course of the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
The league stated Monday {that a} 60-day impartial evaluation decided “not one of the allegations could possibly be substantiated.”
Former U.S. Legal professional and SEC Chair Mary Jo White led the investigative workforce.
Jackson went 3-36-1 in two-plus seasons for Cleveland earlier than he was fired eight video games into the 2018 season.
Jackson had claimed Browns homeowners Dee and Jimmy Haslam incentivized individuals within the group to lose over a four-year interval.
Jackson later softened these feedback.
The investigation concluded there wasn’t proof supporting Jackson’s claims the workforce tanked throughout these seasons, and the membership’s possession or personnel “made no selections intentionally to weaken the workforce to safe a extra favorable draft place.”
The Browns went 1-15 in 2016 and misplaced all 16 video games the next season beneath Jackson.
White and different legal professionals interviewed Jimmy Haslam together with present and former members of the group.
The league stated Jackson initially agreed to satisfy with investigators earlier than deciding in opposition to it.
The investigators had entry to Jackson’s public statements and filings and testimony in a previous arbitration continuing.
The league stated the Browns additionally offered paperwork, together with emails, texts, inside memos and presentation decks to help the inquiry.
The Browns denied Jackson’s assertions from the beginning, and are happy with the investigators’ findings.
“We respect the impartial investigation led by Mary Jo White and the Debevoise workforce which brings closure to those allegations that Hue Jackson publicly recanted shortly after they had been made and that we’ve identified all alongside are categorically false,” stated workforce spokesman Peter Jean-Baptiste. “As we’ve beforehand said, we welcomed this investigation as a result of the integrity of our sport is one thing that shouldn’t be taken calmly and an impartial evaluation was essential in bringing a conclusion to this matter.”
Jackson is presently teaching at Grambling.
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