Latest news with #JustinTucker
New York Times
2 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Justin Tucker had a decision to make. Will it help him return to the field?
Justin Tucker didn't issue an apology Thursday or acknowledge any wrongdoing after the NFL suspended him 10 weeks for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Instead, in a statement released by his longtime agent, Rob Roche, the former Baltimore Ravens kicker stood by his previous denials and said he's disappointed with the league's decision. The statement also made clear that he will not appeal the decision 'in order to put this difficult episode behind him and get back on the field as soon as possible.' Advertisement Thursday's ruling by the NFL came after a four-month investigation following allegations from 16 Baltimore-area massage therapists via The Baltimore Banner that Tucker engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior during bodywork sessions from 2012 to 2016. Tucker has not faced criminal or civil charges, and the statute of limitations in Maryland makes either scenario highly unlikely. The most accurate kicker in NFL history was released by the Ravens in early May after starring for the team for more than a decade. Then came the ruling and a decision to be made. If he and his high-powered legal team had made it known they planned on fighting it, his status likely would have gone unresolved for months. The matter would have likely landed in the hands of Judge Sue Lewis Robinson, the hearing officer for alleged violations of the personal conduct policy. She would have been charged with making a ruling and then releasing the findings of the investigation. That process would have surely taken a lot more time and would have opened the door for a suspension longer than the 10-week ban Tucker accepted. 'We have advised Justin to accept this resolution and close this matter,' Roche said in the statement. '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.' Attorneys Michael Belsky and Catherine Dickinson, who are representing 13 of Tucker's accusers, praised the league's investigation, calling it 'incredibly thorough and thoughtful.' Dickinson said the league interviewed 15 of the accusers. Yet, Belsky said Friday at a news conference at the SBWD Law office, which is just down the street from the Ravens' M&T Bank Stadium, that Tucker's refusal to acknowledge wrongdoing left 'many of the victims, our clients, with the stain of a denial.' Advertisement 'There was an opening here for an early discussion between Mr. Tucker and the victims and the NFL,' Belsky said. 'There was a way that this could have happened and gone down in a way that was different than how it did. Unfortunately, Mr. Tucker dug in with his denials, and we are where we are today.' Belsky was asked what's next for his clients and said they were still digesting the results of the investigation, and any responding course of action was 'TBD.' Meanwhile, as a free agent, Tucker is free to sign with another team. He can participate in training camp and even kick in the preseason. However, he would officially revert to the reserve/suspended list on Aug. 26, roster cutdown day around the NFL. He wouldn't be eligible for reinstatement until Nov. 11, two days before the official start of Week 11 and 10 days before his 36th birthday. Bringing Tucker into a training camp would surely generate questions and criticism for an organization and probably be a distraction that football decision-makers wouldn't want to deal with in late July. Most teams carry only one kicker. Signing Tucker now so he'll be available in mid-November would be a clear message to a team's current kicker that he almost certainly isn't in the long-term plans. The most recent version of Tucker as a kicker was a diminished one from the ridiculously high standard he set early in his career. Tucker had his worst NFL season in 2024, missing eight field goal attempts and two extra-point tries. The Ravens stuck with him, and he had a strong finish to the season. But for the only time in his career, Tucker was one of the primary reasons Baltimore lost a few of its games, rather than being the prominent reason for winning. His 73.3 field goal percentage was fourth worst among kickers who were active for more than 10 games. Advertisement But what if a contending team with an established and well-respected general manager and head coach enters the second half of the season with major questions at one of the game's most important positions? Year after year, in a league where the margin of victory and defeat is so small, promising seasons are sometimes made or lost on the foot of kickers. Would a team view Tucker, a seven-time Pro Bowler, as the final piece to a championship puzzle? Would an established GM be willing to absorb the heat if he felt Tucker would help his team win games in December and January? By not appealing, Tucker left that door ajar.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ravens' John Harbaugh explains 'complex' decision to release Justin Tucker
Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh spoke to reporters Wednesday for the first time since the team released longtime kicker Justin Tucker on May 5. Tucker's release came as the NFL investigated accusations of sexual misconduct against the 35-year-old kicker. He denied the allegations, calling them "simply not true." Advertisement Harbaugh acknowledged releasing Tucker came at the end of "a complex decision-making process" but continued to insist it was a football decision. "I mean, you're talking about arguably the best kicker in the history of the game," Harbaugh told reporters after Baltimore's second OTA session of the offseason. "And like we said, it's multi-layered, it's complicated. But in the end, it all comes back to what you have to do to get ready for your team to play the first game." "I think if you step back and you take a look at all the issues and all the ramifications, you can understand that we've got to get our football team ready and we've got to have a kicker ready to go," Harbaugh added. "And that was the move that we decided to make. So in that sense, it's a football decision." Tucker spent 13 total seasons as the Ravens' top kicker after signing as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He was named an All-Pro first teamer five times during his career and wrapped up his time in Baltimore having made an NFL-record 89.103% of his field goal attempts. Advertisement The Ravens are having two rookies – Tyler Loop and John Hoyland – compete to replace Tucker. Loop holds the distinction of being the first kicker ever drafted by the Ravens after they spent a sixth-round pick on the Arizona product. Meanwhile, Hoyland signed as an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming. Harbaugh – who spent nine seasons as the special teams coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1998 to 2006 before becoming Baltimore's coach in 2008 – noted the Ravens are planning "to spend all of our focus and our time to get these kickers ready." "We've got a competition going on and [we've got to] get these guys ready to make kicks," Harbaugh said. "So that's all I'm thinking about. From my perspective, it's like, 'We have to have a kicker out there making kicks,' and what's the best way to get that done?" This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ravens' John Harbaugh: Cutting Justin Tucker was 'complex decision'
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'Disappointed with the decision': Justin Tucker's agent slams NFL suspension, says league ignored integrity and career legacy
Justin Tucker's agent criticizes the NFL ruling but signals acceptance (Image via AP0 Veteran kicker Justin Tucker, once considered one of the most reliable players in NFL history, has been handed a 10-game suspension following a lengthy investigation into allegations of misconduct involving massage therapists. The suspension, announced Thursday, marks a stunning turn in the career of the seven-time Pro Bowler, who currently remains a free agent. Justin Tucker's agent criticizes the NFL ruling but signals acceptance The allegations, first reported by the Baltimore Banner in January, stem from 16 different massage therapists who accused Justin Tucker of inappropriate behavior dating back to his rookie season in 2012. While no criminal charges were ever filed and Maryland's statute of limitations has since lapsed for civil suits, the NFL concluded that Tucker violated its personal conduct policy. He will now be sidelined without pay starting August 26 and cannot return until mid-November. Tucker's agent, Rob Roche, issued a firm yet conciliatory statement following the decision, expressing disappointment with the league's ruling but noting that the kicker will not contest the suspension. 'We are disappointed with the NFL's decision. Justin has always strived to carry himself in a way that would make his family and community proud,' Roche said via ESPN's Adam Schefter. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Girl gives seat to old man, passengers' faces turn pale when he gives it in return. Crowdy Fan Undo 'He stands by his previous statements. In order to put this difficult episode behind him and get back on the field as soon as possible, we have advised Justin to accept this resolution and close this matter.' Despite his decision not to appeal, Tucker has consistently denied the allegations. Roche reinforced his client's commitment to personal growth and family life, emphasizing: '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.' Tucker's on-field reputation was once impeccable—he owns the highest field goal accuracy rate in NFL history and has won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens. However, his career hit a sharp decline in 2024, when he converted just 73% of his kicks. Baltimore released him in May, and drafted Tyler Loop as his replacement. Also Read: Explained: How Justin Tucker's 10 games suspension was quietly negotiated behind the scenes without legal action Now, with a suspension looming and no teams showing interest, Tucker's once-certain Hall of Fame future is clouded by controversy, off-field scrutiny, and the reality of an aging kicker in a league that rarely forgives. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
NBC Sports
a day ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Patrick: 'Can't imagine' Tucker plays in NFL again
Dan Patrick weighs in on the NFL's 10-game suspension for ex-Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, exploring key takeaways from the decision and why it could eventually spell the end of his time in the NFL.
CBS News
a day ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Justin Tucker's accusers say TKTKTK, as ex-Baltimore Ravens kicker faces NFL suspension
The attorneys for more than a dozen massage therapists who accused former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker of sexual misconduct spoke out Friday saying, XXXXXXXXXX. Tucker, who spent 13 seasons playing for the Ravens before he was released on May 5, was accused of sexual misconduct by at least 16 massage therapists. The NFL announced his suspension for the start of the 2025 season on Thursday. The All-Pro kicker and his attorneys continue to deny the allegations. Tucker is not facing any charges. Massage therapists allege misconduct XXXXXXXXXX NEW DETAILS AND QUOTES The first round of allegations publicly surfaced on Jan. 30, when six massage therapists told The Baltimore Banner they had troubling first-hand experiences with Tucker between 2012 and 2016, and said he was sexually inappropriate. Management at both of the spas told the Banner that they had banned Tucker from returning. Tucker denies allegations Shortly after the allegations came to light, Tucker released a statement on social media denying the allegations. "I have always made a conscious effort to be considerate and respectful in all of the interactions with the community that I love so much. It is devastating for me to learn that anyone would feel I was offensive in any way," Tucker said in part. "I maintain I did not act inappropriately at any point before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment session," he continued. He also said that he never received any complaints from a massage therapist and that he was never dismissed from a massage therapy or bodywork session. Baltimore Ravens respond during NFL investigation The Ravens released a statement at the time saying they were aware of the allegations and Tucker's response, and that they would "continue to monitor the situation." Allegations from more massage therapists surfaced throughout February. On May 5, the Ravens released Tucker from the team. DeCosta called Tucker's release a "football decision." "Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances," DeCosta said in a statement. "Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker." Justin Tucker suspended by NFL On June 26, the NFL announced that Tucker was suspended for the first 10 games of the 2025-26, regardless of whether he is on a team roster. In a memo, the NFL said that Tucker's suspension was for violations of the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy. The suspension will begin on roster cutdown day, Aug. 26. Tucker would be eligible for reinstatement on Tuesday, Nov. 11, according to the league. Tucker's Ravens career Tucker, 35, from Texas, joined the Baltimore Ravens in 2012 - the year the team won Super Bowl XLVII. During his career, he became known as the most accurate kicker in NFL history with an overall career field goal percentage of 89.1%. He also holds the record for the longest field goal in NFL history at 66 yards. Last season, Tucker had a career-low season with a 73.3% field goal percentage, hitting 22 of 30 attempts.
