Baltimore Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta addressed the serious allegations surrounding kicker Justin Tucker, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by 16 massage therapists.
Speaking at the NFL Combine, DeCosta called the allegations “serious and concerning” and refrained from ruling out any potential actions, including the termination of Tucker’s contract.
The allegations and ongoing investigation
The accusations, first reported by The Baltimore Banner, include claims from massage therapists that Tucker engaged in inappropriate behavior during therapy sessions, including exposing himself, brushing up against therapists, and leaving bodily fluids on massage tables. These allegations span from Tucker’s rookie season in 2012 through 2016.
The NFL is conducting an investigation into the matter, and DeCosta expressed confidence in the process.
“The amount of allegations are serious and concerning,” he stated.
“We’re fortunate that the league is doing an investigation. We’ll wait as patiently as we can for as much information as we can, and we’ll make our decisions based on that.”
Tucker has consistently denied all allegations, asserting that the accusations are “false and incredibly hurtful.”
In a statement, he maintained that he “did not act inappropriately at any point before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment session.”
“I cannot be any clearer… these accusations are false and incredibly hurtful to both me, and more importantly, my family,” Tucker said.
DeCosta was asked about the Ravens’ “zero tolerance” policy when it comes to player misconduct, especially toward women, and he chose not to provide specific details. This policy gained attention after the 2014 dismissal of Ray Rice following the release of a video showing him assaulting his then-fiancee. DeCosta emphasized that each case is handled individually, saying, “We look at every case differently.”
The alleged incidents are said to have taken place between 2012 and 2016, with several therapists claiming they ended sessions early or refused to work with Tucker again. Some even alleged that Tucker was banned from certain spas, although Tucker denies ever being barred from any establishment. One therapist provided an internal memo documenting her experiences with the kicker.
Tucker, who just completed his 13th season with the Ravens, remains under contract through 2027. However, the allegations and the ongoing investigation have raised questions about his future with the team. Tucker, who had a career-low 73.3% success rate on field goals last season, faces mounting scrutiny both on and off the field.
The Ravens, including DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh, will need to evaluate the situation based on the findings of the NFL’s investigation. For now, the team is waiting for more information before making any decisions regarding Tucker’s status with the organization.
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