Ravens release Justin Tucker amid serious allegations
- Justin Tucker was released by the Baltimore Ravens after being accused by 16 massage therapists of inappropriate sexual behavior from 2012 to 2016.
- The Ravens drafted rookie kicker Tyler Loop and framed the decision to release Tucker as a football-related choice despite the ongoing investigation.
- The move has sparked controversy and backlash due to the serious nature of the allegations against Tucker.
In Baltimore, Justin Tucker, the veteran kicker for the Ravens, was released after 13 seasons with the team. This decision came amid serious allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior against him, which were reported by multiple massage therapists. The allegations surfaced in a January article that detailed accusations from 16 different therapists claiming Tucker acted inappropriately during sessions between 2012 and 2016. Tucker, while maintaining his innocence, stated that these claims are unequivocally false and expressed that the allegations have severely impacted his family. The Ravens, facing pressure and scrutiny, framed Tucker's release as a 'football decision', coinciding with the drafting of rookie kicker Tyler Loop from Arizona in the sixth round of the NFL draft. General manager Eric DeCosta admitted that sometimes football decisions can be incredibly difficult, but emphasized that the move was necessary considering the team's current roster and salary cap situation. Tucker holds the record for the longest kick in NFL history and was regarded as one of the best kickers in football, but recent events have overshadowed his successful career. As the NFL continues to investigate the allegations as part of their Personal Conduct Policy, the Ravens decided to move forward, reflecting the complex interplay of performance, public perception, and serious misconduct allegations.