Latest news with #Baltimore-area
The Herald Scotland
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Justin Tucker suspension: Everyone loses as ex-Ravens kicker penalized
And, yeah, some rookie you've never heard of is going to benefit from the fact that Baltimore had already cut ties with Tucker, creating an open job to compete for in training camp. But there are no winners from this sad saga. There are most definitely losers, though, and they are as follows: Justin Tucker Duh. On the one hand, he ought to be grateful the NFL's announcement was, per usual, devoid of details regarding his violation of the league's personal conduct policy. And unlike the penalty the league levied against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson three years ago, in what can only be described as similar circumstances - at the time, 24 women had filed civil suits against him involving allegations of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions - Tucker has not been fined nor ordered to undergo treatment or an evaluation. Watson was and had to pay $5 million. But Tucker is radioactive. Last season was decidedly the worst of his 13-year career. Still the most accurate kicker in NFL history, he converted a career-low 73.3% of his field-goal attempts. It gave the Ravens a convenient excuse to cut a 35-year-old who was at the top of his positional compensation scale. And in light of the sexual misconduct allegations made by Baltimore-area massage therapists for incidents that reportedly occurred between 2012 and 2016, no team was likely to touch Tucker before the league completed its investigation into the matter - and there will undoubtedly be less consideration for him now given he won't be eligible to return until Nov. 11. But this runs deeper. Again, the NFL didn't offer details as to why it had suspended Tucker, though The Baltimore Banner reported them in spades. All the while, Tucker, a practicing Catholic, has denied them, characterizing the website's reporting as "unequivocally false" - yet also won't appeal his suspension. Take that for what it's worth. At this point, it seems unlikely Tucker plays in the NFL again. And what appears to be the final chapter of his once enviable career has probably delivered a fatal broadside to his Hall of Fame candidacy given the high bar his position already demanded. In a statement issued last month and attributed to executive vice president and GM Eric DeCosta, he said, "Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances," when explaining why the Ravens released Tucker with three years left on his four-year, $22 million extension. Anyone paying more than a scintilla of attention knew the move involved far more calculus than that, but that's how the Ravens chose to frame it. They missed the mark. This is the same organization that was spotlit by the Ray Rice situation in 2014, when the team's top running back was seen on video assaulting his fiancee in an elevator. He was eventually released and never played another NFL snap after being indefinitely suspended. Following the issuance of Watson's penalty in 2022, head coach John Harbaugh said of the Ravens' stance about player misconduct, "Basically, we're kind of zero tolerance. You have to know the truth, you have to try to understand the circumstances, but we've stayed away from that particular situation - when we draft players, when we sign them as free agents. "I'm glad that we have that policy." (For what it's worth, the Ravens just spent a second-round pick on linebacker Mike Green, who's been accused of sexual assault multiple times in the past.) More: Opinion: NFL's suspension of kicker Justin Tucker is essentially a guilty verdict Any profession has people who are less-than-savory characters. The NFL is no different, but its scandals make headlines that members of Fortune 500 companies (or far less notable ones) rarely draw. It's just baffling the Ravens - a well-run, first-rate organization by nearly every other measure, on or off the field - would further jeopardize their brand. They undoubtedly carefully parsed their announcement signaling Tucker's departure. DeCosta also thanked him for his "many contributions" to the franchise (meaning its win total). It's fine that the club took its time before cutting the cord while doing its own due diligence on the matter. But given the circumstances, "The Ravens have released Justin Tucker" always seemed to be about the extent of what he deserved. The victims In the event crystal clarity is needed here, victims are not "losers." But the NFL's verdict offers further credence that they've lost too much. According to The Banner's reporting, 16 massage therapists from eight local spas shared horror stories about Tucker's alleged misconduct. It's important to note he has not been charged with a crime, and the statute of limitations in Maryland to file a civil action against him is long past. Sadly, this is often how it goes whenever women are exploited. They won't see a penny in the aftermath of their trauma, which could be very difficult to escape for the balance of their lives. Nobody's lost more than them, and that can't be forgotten. All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Explained: How Justin Tucker's 10 games suspension was quietly negotiated behind the scenes without legal action
Justin Tucker suspended for 10 games (Imagn Images) Free agent kicker Justin Tucker has been suspended for the first 10 games of the 2025 NFL regular season after violating the league's personal conduct policy, according to an official announcement made Thursday. The decision comes following an extensive period of controversy involving serious allegations against the former Baltimore Ravens star. Justin Tucker's shocking 10-game suspension wasn't court-ordered — it came through a surprising negotiation twist The NFL's ruling was not the result of a formal hearing or a legal verdict but stemmed from behind-the-scenes negotiations between the league, the NFL Players Association, and Tucker's legal team. According to The Washington Post's Mark Maske, 'the case is over, the suspension is final, and Tucker will miss 10 games without pay to begin the 2025 season.' Tucker, 35, has strongly denied the sexual misconduct allegations made by sixteen massage therapists from eight upscale Baltimore-area spas. These incidents are said to have taken place between 2012 and 2016. In response to The Baltimore Banner's reporting, Tucker criticized the outlet's coverage as 'desperate tabloid fodder.' Yet, despite his denial of any wrongdoing, Tucker chose not to appeal the suspension. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Banned in most countries - everyone eats it here! Daily Sport X Undo While this might seem contradictory to his public stance, some believe it was a strategic move. With his name no longer tied up in a pending investigation, the door is now open—at least in theory—for him to be signed by a team once the suspension is served. His decision to settle might also have been a calculated risk. Had the matter gone before disciplinary officer Judge Sue L. Robinson, a full-season suspension was reportedly a possibility. Accepting 10 games could have been the lesser of two evils. Still, Tucker's on-field value isn't what it once was. In 2024, he experienced the steepest decline of his 13-year career, missing 10 kicks and finishing with a 73.3% field goal conversion rate—ranking 31st in the league. It's a stark contrast from the player who once set the NFL record with a 66-yard game-winning field goal in 2021 and earned seven Pro Bowl selections over 12 stellar seasons. In August 2022, Tucker signed a four-year, $22 million extension that made him the NFL's highest-paid kicker at the time. But by May 2025, he had been released by the Ravens in a post-June 1 cap-saving move. With the suspension now finalized and his case officially closed, the spotlight shifts to whether any team will be willing to take a chance on a kicker whose legacy is now overshadowed by both performance decline and off-field controversy. Also Read: Jason Kelce changes his profile picture on Twitter and it's not him or Kylie Kelce Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Winners and losers of Justin Tucker's NFL suspension? Sorry, there are only losers here
Winners and losers. It can be an informative, analytical and even fun framing device whenever notable NFL (or fill in the sport) news occurs. Whether it's the aftermath of a big game, trade, draft, you name it – there are typically two sides of a coin to examine. That wasn't the case Thursday, when the league issued its 10-week suspension to former Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, whose banishment will take effect Aug. 26 – whether or not the free agent is employed by a team by then. And, yeah, some rookie you've never heard of is going to benefit from the fact that Baltimore had already cut ties with Tucker, creating an open job to compete for in training camp later this summer. But there are no winners from this sad saga. There are most definitely losers, though, and they are as follows: Justin Tucker Duh. On the one hand, he ought to be grateful the NFL's announcement was, per usual, devoid of any details regarding his violation of the league's personal conduct policy. And unlike the penalty the league levied against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson three years ago, in what can only be described as similar circumstances − at the time, 24 women had filed civil suits against him involving allegations of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions − Tucker has not been fined nor been ordered to undergo treatment or an evaluation. Watson was, and he had to pay $5 million. But Tucker is radioactive. Last season was decidedly the worst of his 13-year career. Tucker, still the most accurate kicker in NFL history, converted a career-low 73.3% of his field-goal attempts. It gave the Ravens a convenient excuse to cut a 35-year-old player who was at the top of his positional compensation scale. And in light of the sexual misconduct allegations made by Baltimore-area massage therapists for incidents that reportedly occurred between 2012 and 2016, no team was likely to touch Tucker before the league completed its investigation into the matter – and there will undoubtedly be less consideration for him now given he won't be eligible to return until Nov. 11. But this runs deeper. Again, the NFL didn't offer details as to why it had suspended Tucker, though The Baltimore Banner reported them in spades. All the while, Tucker, a practicing Catholic, has denied them, characterizing the website's reporting as 'unequivocally false' – yet also won't appeal his suspension. Take that for what it's worth. At this point, it seems rather unlikely Tucker plays in the NFL again. And what appears to be the final chapter of his once enviable career has probably delivered a fatal broadside to his Hall of Fame candidacy given the high bar his position already demanded. Baltimore Ravens In a statement issued last month and attributed to executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta, he said, 'Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances,' when explaining why the Ravens released Tucker with three years left on his four-year, $22 million extension. Anyone paying more than a scintilla of attention knew the decision involved more calculus than that. But that's how the Ravens chose to frame it. They missed the mark. This is the same organization that was spotlit by the Ray Rice situation in 2014, when the team's top running back was seen on video assaulting his fiancée in an elevator. He was eventually released and never played another NFL snap after being indefinitely suspended. Following the issuance of Watson's penalty in 2022, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh said of the Ravens' policy about player misconduct, 'Basically, we're kind of zero tolerance. You have to know the truth, you have to try to understand the circumstances, but we've stayed away from that particular situation − when we draft players, when we sign them as free agents. 'I'm glad that we have that policy.' (For what it's worth, the Ravens just drafted pass rusher Mike Green, who's been accused of sexual assault multiple times in the past, in the second round.) More: Opinion: NFL's suspension of kicker Justin Tucker is essentially a guilty verdict Any profession has people who are less-than-savory characters. The NFL is no different, but it's scandals and controversies make headlines that members of Fortune 500 companies rarely draw. It's just baffling the Ravens – a well-run, first-rate organization by nearly every other measure, on or off the field – would jeopardize their brand. They undoubtedly carefully parsed their announcement signaling Tucker's departure. The announcement also thanked him for his numerous contributions to the franchise – meaning its win total. It's fine the Ravens took their time making the move while doing their own due diligence on the matter. But given the circumstances, "The Ravens have released Justin Tucker' always seemed to be about the extent of what he deserved. The victims In the event complete clarity is needed here, they are not "losers." But the NFL's verdict offers further credence that they've lost too much. According to The Banner's reporting, 16 massage therapists from eight Baltimore-area spas shared horror stories about Tucker's alleged misconduct. It's important to note he has not been charged with a crime, and the statute of limitations in Maryland to file a civil action against him is long past. Sadly, this is often how it goes whenever women are victimized. They won't see a penny in the aftermath of their trauma, which could be very difficult to escape for the rest of their lives. Nobody's lost more than they have, and that can't be forgotten. All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Opinion: NFL's suspension of kicker Justin Tucker is essentially a guilty verdict
Justin Tucker has not been charged with a crime or faced any litigation in a civil court. But the NFL effectively gave him a guilty verdict Thursday when the league levied a 10-week suspension on the former Baltimore Ravens kicker. Which makes the Ravens' decision to release him May 5 under the guise of 'football decisions' even more dubious. Sure, Tucker's best football – a career that makes him arguably the greatest kicker in NFL history – is behind him. But Tucker's days with the Ravens, and perhaps as an NFL kicker, were numbered once 16 women accused him of sexual harassment while receiving massage work at eight different Baltimore-area spas from 2012-16 in a series of reports in the Baltimore Banner from earlier this year. The NFL started an investigation in February. Tucker, who has still denied any wrongdoing, vehemently disputed the Banner's reporting. But the NFL does not mess around with its investigations. These are well-paid, well-resourced, highly respected individuals seeking the truth. Multiple Ravens stakeholders, including general manager and executive vice president Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh, met with investigators. Whatever investigators discovered must have been severe enough to warrant a suspension of this length with Tucker, released by the Ravens May 5, and not currently on any team. A representative for Tucker released a statement to ESPN stating that the kicker stood behind his previous statements, which called the Banner's reporting libelous. Those past defenses were obviously not founded in reality. The punishment after the investigation reveals as much. 'We are disappointed with the NFL's decision,' Rob Roche told ESPN. 'Justin has always strived to carry himself in a way that would make his family and community proud. 'The people who know Justin best know his character and understand that while he remains fully committed to excellence as a football player, he is deeply dedicated to his most important lifetime roles as a father, husband, and friend.' The Ravens called his release a football decision. But that was always insulting to everyone's intelligence. Tucker didn't help himself by having his worst statistical season in 2024 (73.3% field-goal percentage). 'Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult,' team general manager and executive vice president Eric DeCosta said in a statement at the time, 'and this is one of those instances.' Had the NFL Players' Association, the league and Tucker not agreed to the punishment, the case could have gone in front of a jointly appointed disciplinary officer, former U.S. district judge Sue L. Robinson. Neither she nor commissioner Roger Goodell (or another arbitrator, had Goodell deemed it necessary) will have to make an additional ruling, however. The lone disciplinary hearing heard by Robinson since the policy was created during the latest collective bargaining agreement was Deshaun Watson's 11-game suspension and $5 million fine levied in 2022 after he faced dozens of sexual harassment allegations, also from massage therapists, in the Houston area while he played for the Texans. More: Justin Tucker suspended 10 games for violating NFL's personal conduct policy People forget the league wanted an indefinite suspension of at least one year, while the union took its case to Robinson who issued a six-game suspension. The NFL appealed and an agreement on the 11-game ban and $5 million was reached. For Tucker, a five-time All-Pro, to get 10 games with no pushback puts him in a similar tier of punishment. That it occurred to a legendary member of the same organization at the center of the Ray Rice controversy, in which the league suspended Rice two games despite video evidence of him harming his spouse, invokes nasty memories. Tucker was a popular figure in the Ravens' locker room. He was the longest-tenured player in the organization until his release and the last remaining member of the Super Bowl 47 team. His career kicking percentage of 89.1% is tops in league history. Tyler Loop, a sixth-round pick in the 2025 draft from Arizona, and undrafted rookie John Hoyland are currently the only place kickers on Baltimore's roster. There's been no reported interest among the other 31 teams in Tucker, who can still sign and participate in training camp and preseason games. If one wants to take a flyer on Tucker come Week 11 this November, that will be their right, same as it was the Browns' to trade for Watson and give him $230 million fully guaranteed. They should keep in mind that the NFL doesn't ban players for 10 weeks for no reason. And that reason should be enough to make them think twice.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Economic Times
Justin Tucker NFL Suspension Reason: When will it end and what is his net worth? See allegations against him
Former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has been suspended for the first 10 weeks of the 2025 NFL season for violating the league's personal conduct policy. The decision follows multiple misconduct allegations. Tucker denies the claims and may seek a return after his suspension ends in November. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads League Announces Suspension Reason for Justin Tucker Suspension Tucker Responds to Accusations Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Contract Termination by Ravens Justin Tucker Net Worth Decline in Performance Career Achievements Future Possibilities FAQs The NFL has suspended free agent kicker Justin Tucker for violating its personal conduct policy . The suspension will last for 10 weeks of the 2025 regular season. The league announced the decision on NFL confirmed that Justin Tucker, currently a free agent, will be suspended without pay for the first 10 weeks of the 2025 regular season. The suspension can be served while he remains unsigned. Tucker is free to join any team during training camps or preseason, but his suspension will begin on August 26. He is eligible for reinstatement on November massage therapists from eight Baltimore-area wellness centers accused Tucker of sexual misconduct. These incidents were alleged to have occurred between 2012 and 2016. This period covers the early years of Tucker's professional career. The claims surfaced in a report published by The Baltimore has denied all allegations. He has labeled the reporting by The Baltimore Banner as "desperate tabloid fodder." His representative, Rob Roche, released a statement saying that Tucker wants to move forward. Roche added that Tucker continues to stand by his earlier Baltimore Ravens released Tucker on May 5. He was designated as a post-June 1 release. This decision helped the team manage its salary cap. Tucker had signed a four-year, $22 million contract extension in August 2022. At the time, he became the highest-paid kicker in the to Justin Tucker's estimated net worth in 2025 is $25 million. His income grew steadily over time. In 2016, he signed a four-year contract worth $16.8 million. He then received a $20 million extension in 2019. In 2022, Tucker signed a four-year deal valued at $24 million, which made him the highest-paid kicker in NFL history at that had a difficult 2024 season. He missed 10 field goals, the most in his 13-year career. His field goal success rate was 73.3 percent, ranking 31st among NFL kickers last season. This was a drop compared to his earlier performance over 12 seasons, where he maintained a 90.2 percent success recent struggles, Tucker's career includes several milestones. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl seven times. He also holds the NFL record for the longest field goal — a 66-yard kick in 2021. He was part of the Ravens' Super Bowl-winning team in 2012. He was also the longest-tenured player on that roster before his the suspension timeline now known, Tucker may try to return to the field later in the 2025 season. Teams could consider signing him if there is a need for a veteran kicker. His availability after November 11 allows him to contribute during the final weeks of the regular season and any potential playoff Tucker can sign with a team and take part in training camps and preseason games, but he cannot play in regular season games until November Ravens released Tucker due to ongoing investigations, a decline in performance, and for salary cap purposes under the post-June 1 designation.
