A second wave of accusations against Justin Tucker has brought the total number of women alleging sexual misconduct at massage therapy sessions to 16. The Ravens’ kicker has denied any wrongdoing already, and his second set of public remarks on the matter repeat that stance. 
“I maintain I did not act inappropriately at any point before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment session, nor have I ever been told I am unwelcome at any massage therapy provider,” Tucker’s most recent statement reads in part (via Outkick.com). “Throughout the last four weeks, I have spent countless hours replaying every interaction I have had with bodywork professionals over the last thirteen years. I can assure whoever is reading this that I have never intended to disrespect anyone, cross any boundary, or make anyone feel uncomfortable in any way whatsoever.”
Earlier this month, a report from the Baltimore Banner publicized allegations of inappropriate conduct on Tucker’s part during message sessions from 2012-16. Tucker unequivocally denied the claims, doing so again when another three therapists made similar accusations. No criminal investigation has been opened, and no civil claims have been filed.
Tucker’s attorneys have pushed back against the claims he was banned from a number of Baltimore-are spas in response to the alleged misconduct. A reply from the law firm representing many of the accusers says: “We do not represent the spa owners, only the affected therapists. Whether the owners acted appropriately and in protection of their respective employees when faced with complaints is a question better directed to the them”
In recent days, the NFL opened its own probe to investigate a potential personal conduct policy violation; interviews with the accusers have begun and will continue in the near future. When addressing the subject at the Combine earlier this week, general manager Eric DeCosta said the Ravens will wait for that process to unfold before making a decision on Tucker’s future with the team. The five-time All-Pro has spent his entire 13-year career in Baltimore.
Head coach John Harbaugh said at the Combine (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo) the Ravens are evaluating kicker prospects, noting the team intended to do so before the Tucker allegations went public. Given the 2010s All-Decade Team member’s age (35) and struggles early in the campaign (resulting in a field goal accuracy rate of 73.3%, by far the lowest of his career) it would not come as a shock if the Ravens elected to move on this offseason. Three years remain on Tucker’s contract; releasing him with a post-June 1 designation would yield $4.2MM in cap savings while generating $2.87MM in dead money.
It’s obvious that Tucker was just reading from a statement prepared by his lawyer. The key word in that statement is “intent”. In a game I’m sure Tucker and other kickers always “intend” to split the uprights with their FG attempt… but we all know it doesn’t always workout that way.
I get that and you’re right. I have to preface this properly as I’m not trying to cast doubt or aspersions on the accusers. I’m the father of two daughters. Married. I empathize with victims of sexual assault or unwanted actions. But when stories such as these come out, I always have one question: Why did it take so long—sometimes a number of years—until accusations were made?
I’m sorry but when you always have that one question, why did it take so long to come out, you don’t empathize with victims of sexual abuse. Justin Tucker had all the power in these relationships, and the massage therapists had little or no power.
Why don’t you ask yourself why 16 different women accused him of sexual misconduct. Or maybe you can ask your daughters what they have put up with in their lives to date.
I have asked my daughters just that, as I have my wife. And often.
Your judgmental response is reprehensible, at best, and unconscionable at its core. In your way of thinking, it’s an all or nothing equation. How inane of you
It’s *certainly* possible to sympathize with women who’ve suffered sexual assault and empathize with women who’ve frequently been made to endure unwanted sexual advances on a consistent basis
As I said in my preface, I was casting no aspersions on the accusers
It’s equally prudent to call into question accusations that come after a protracted time. Yes, why indeed?
I understand who “had all the power” quite well. And if Tucker is guilty, he should pay whatever price that’s deemed necessary. But you can save your proselytizing and your judgmental character assassination for someone in your local bar.
@earmbrister
I’ve admitably never been inside a spa or massage clinic but I would assume that a therapist that is concerned with the behavior of a client could leave the room and call for a bouncer or security person. To say the therapist has little or no power seems dubious at best.
I’ve never been to a spa or massage facility that employs a bouncer. Is that a normal thing in other parts of the country?
A bouncer? No bouncers….and Heather isn’t on the main stage either
I’m willing to wait for Amber if you’ll pay for the rounds until she arrives 🙂
@MrMuyBueno
A simple Google search will tell you why victims of sexual assault take years to come forward or never come forward at all – not sure why you still have to ask this.
I’ve done this, C-Daddy. Thanks for the adult reply. This was a bottom line :”Reasons could include fear of the stigma associated with the abuse, embarrassment and retaliation”
That’s completely understandable.
Lets assume he’s innocent
Why would 16 different women accuse him? Hoping to squeeze him for $?
Squeeze?
@ chanderbing
You could spend many lifetimes trying to understand how the female mind works (and yes I hope my wife doesn’t read this). Many of America’s notorious serial killers, while incarcerated, received “love letters” from women who expected lasting relationships to be the result. Weird but true.
Same things could be said about mens crazy rationales
I’m a Bears fan so that gives me a license to have crazy rationales 🙂
The lawyers of the “victims” sound very evasive in this report. Earlier those same lawyers were claiming that Tucker had been barred at several therapy providers. Now they have started to backpedal.
Looks like NFL players or anyone else with a thick wallet will have to avoid massage therapists or ensure that the entire session is recorded.
A key difference here is Watson found his “massage therapists” on Instagram. Which is where you go if you’re looking for a happy ending. Tucker supposedly went to high end spas, and the spas themselves don’t have lawyers (yet). There should be some investigation with the spa owners to validate claims Tucker went there and complaints were reported to them (or not).
Good point.
I know a lot of athletes swear by deep tissue massage for faster recovery, but I could see pre-cautions being taken in the future. Maybe require massage happens on a security cam.
Or give all NFL players male masseuses
If his performance hadn’t sagged in 2024 the Ravens would keep him but they won’t now.
Shocking again that he denied the charges and to a right wing wacko. What a complete tool.
Would you believe his response if it was provided by Deadspin?
I’ve seen enough innocent people convicted by the media and the general public to not make any assumptions. It’s easy to bombard someone with accusations when they have to wait months or years for a day in court to cross examine the “victims”.
Not sure why people think 16 different women getting together to conspire against the Baltimore Ravens’ kicker is a more plausible scenario than a rich dude being a creep – and then these same people question why it takes so long for victims of sexual assault to come forward.
Sir, I am no fan of any professional athlete. Or actor. Or singer. Or politician. I asked a valid question above. There were no strings attached and again, no aspersions being cast upon accusers
You pointed to google as a source that might provide some rationale. I thanked you and read a number of valid reasons
But you should have stopped there
Not everyone has an agenda and not everyone worships their “heroes” to the point of mounting message board defenses
I don’t believe his comment was a direct shot at you. To me, it seemed like he was being general. There are others who are questioning the accusers. I don’t think he needed to stop there. It’s good food for thought for others.
Seems like jumping down the throats of people who ask questions innocently is all the rage but since you may be right, I’ll apologize
As for questioning the accusers, I think Popgun (below) offers a pretty good rendering as to why those not in the situation should trust none of what they hear, and less of what they see
The truth will come out
I’m trying to be as middle ground here as possible, but I believe the ones who are much more forward in suggesting all the accusers are lying are more so the target here. I could be wrong, though. Just how I read it.
I do agree that the truth will come to light, and this situation is a bit less straightforward than Watson’s, but it seems to me if people are blackmailing an NFL player, they would choose one who is a little more wealthy like a QB, WR, or pass rusher. Tucker makes $4M a year.
16 is a lot of accusers. Just saying
As someone who has been falsely accused of sexual harassment by a group of corporate managers who were afraid I was rising the ranks too fast and would take one of their jobs, so 4 of them conspired against me and paid a coworker to make a false claim, I don’t put it past anyone to make a false claim, especially when money or power is promised in return.
I won out in the end, as I did nothing wrong, and my accusers only got a small slap on the hand.
So, 5 accusers, one innocent soul, and proof of innocence and conspiracy with proof of money transferred for a false claim, and no accountability for the accusers in the end.
Accusers can get away with just about anything in today’s crazy world, while my reputation got put to task in the public forum, even though I did nothing wrong. I was never even in the same room alone with the woman in question in over 7 years of working there.
False accusations happen way more often than people think.
And to be clear, that’s what ruins it for true victims more often than not. I empathize with real victims, and those victims would be much better off reporting a crime immediately and show evidence in real time.
And the only way this type of nonsense stops is when the punishment for false accusations equals the punishment for the crime.
The main thing to take out of this conversation is to remember that accusers never lie. That’s where I’ve become enlightened reading this thread of fine intellectual work.
Especially when there is a lot of money at stake.