Avery heated confrontation erupted at a Cincinnati-area church over the weekend as parishioners, including longtime NFL player Jake McQuaide, demanded transparency from church leadership over allegations involving a parish priest.
The incident took place last Saturday at Our Lady of the Visitation in Green Township, where Jason Williams, Chancellor of the Archidiocese of Cincinnati, was addressing churchgoers regarding the accusations that Father Martin Bachman had accessed pornographic material on a church computer. Williams stated that internal investigations had found no criminal or ecclesiastical wrongdoing, calling the circulating allegations “rumors” ans “sinful gossip”.
Loud Voices In The Church
However, Jake McQuide, a 14-year NFL veteran and Cincinnati native, interrupted the forum to press for clarity. Speaking from the pews, the 37 year old snapper directly challenged church officials: “Did the priest use our parish computer to look at pornography? True or false?”.
McQuide’s comments came in response to claims made earlier this year by parishioner Todd Zureick, who said he viewed disturbing content on a church laptop. According to WCPO 9 News, Zureick described images that included “thumbnails to pornography sites and links to multiple virtual reality role-playing sites involving pornography, sexual assault, group sex, rape, and occult themes”.
Despite efforts to restore order, McQuide refused to back down, insisting that the church owed parishioners direct answers. He was eventually escorted out by Green Township Police, who were stationed at the church in anticipation of potential disruptions. Authorities confirmed that McQuide was neither arrester nor charged.
No Evidence And No Transparency Either
The Archidiocese later reiterated that Father Bachman’s scheduled sabbatical in July is unrelated to the allegations. Local law enforcement has also said no evidence of criminal behaviour by clergy has been found.
Tensions remain high in the parish community. According again to WCPO, more than 700 parishioners have signed a petition demanding full transparency from church leadership.
McQuide, currently a free agent, spent time last season with the Minnesota Vikings and Miami Dolphins. The Ohio State alum previously played ten seasons and 160 games with Los Angeles Rams, earning two Pro Bowl selections during his career.
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