For our internationally-read blog, we’re leaving Justin Tucker, ex-Baltimore Ravens kicker, 10-game suspension from the NFL. This move is the result of sixteen massage therapists (his victims) alleging that he sexually assaulted them at various high-end spas and wellness centers throughout the greater Baltimore region. Those alleged incidents purportedly occurred between 2012 and 2016, Tucker’s first five seasons in the league.
On September 1 the NFL announced that Tucker’s suspension began on August 26. He should have been back on the job on November 11. While Tucker is suspended, he can still serve his suspension as a free agent. This effectively makes him a free agent able to sign with any NFL team during this window. The Ravens have since moved on with him, voiding his four-year, $22 million contract extension they gave him in 2019, three years left on it.
Tucker, then 35-years-old, strongly denied all the claims brought against him. He labeled the allegations “absolutely untrue” and “categorically false,” calling them “desperate tabloid fodder.” To this day, he has consistently professed his innocence during the trial and proceedings.
In reaction to this sudden action, lawyers for the three massage therapists publicly condemned Tucker’s position. They stated, “It would have been simple for Mr. Tucker many months ago to have apologized and acknowledged wrongdoing. Instead, Mr. Tucker insisted on falsely attacking the credibility of the victims and only further victimizing them.”
While the allegations led to serious consequences for Tucker’s professional career. Last season, he recorded a conversion rate of only 73.3% on field goals (22 of 30), ranking 31st in the NFL. He missed a total of ten kicks, three more than any other season in his career. It’s worth noting that this continued drop in performance all happened in parallel with the growing accusations against him.
One massage therapist expressed her dissatisfaction with Tucker’s response to the allegations, saying, “I don’t think it’s enough.” Another therapist shared her relief at the outcome, stating, “I’m glad that something was done. It’s nice to feel finally heard.”
Tucker was, by far and away, the longest-tenured player on the Ravens. He was the last survivor of the team’s Super Bowl championship roster from 2012. During his tenure, he made a name for himself as a seven-time Pro Bowler. These allegations preemptively punctured his once-untouchable stature in the league.
As the situation continues to develop, the future is unclear for Justin Tucker, on and off the field. NFL’s decision to suspend him is perhaps the biggest pivot point in his career. This is as serious allegations hang over his head, which still need to be resolved.
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