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New York Times
4 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.
CTV News
a day ago
- Sport
- CTV News
NFL kicker Justin Tucker suspended 10 weeks for violating league's personal conduct policy
Justin Tucker has been suspended by the NFL for 10 weeks. (/File via CNN Newsource) Former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has been suspended without pay for 10 weeks of the upcoming season, the NFL announced on Thursday. The league said the suspension is based on Tucker violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. Tucker is currently a free agent after playing 13 seasons with the Ravens. 'Tucker's suspension will take effect on roster cutdown day, August 26, and he will be eligible for reinstatement on Tuesday, November 11,' the league said in a statement. 'As with any free agent, Tucker may serve his suspension while not being under contract with a club. Tucker remains free to try out and sign with a club; if he is signed during the offseason, he may attend training camp and participate in preseason games.' Tucker has been accused of inappropriate sexual misconduct by multiple massage therapists, according to the Baltimore Banner, in alleged incidents between 2012 and 2016. Tucker has previously denied the accusations, calling them 'shocking and heart-breaking.' Following Tucker's suspension, the kicker's representative, Rob Roche, said he is 'disappointed with the NFL's decision,' per ESPN's Adam Schefter. '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.' CNN has reached out to Tucker's representatives for comment. Tucker signed with the Ravens as a rookie free agent in 2012 and has played his entire career in Baltimore. Known as one of the league's best placekickers, Tucker owns the highest career field goal percentage (89.1%), making him the most accurate kicker in NFL history. He won Super Bowl XLVII with the Ravens in 2013. By Thomas Schlachter, CNN
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL suspends Justin Tucker for first 10 weeks of 2025 season for violating Personal Conduct Policy
After a months-long investigation into former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, the NFL landed on a punishment. The league announced Thursday that Tucker will be suspended without pay for the first 10 weeks of the 2025 season. Tucker was accused of sexual misconduct by more than a dozen massage therapists in the Baltimore area in February, leading to an NFL investigation. Per the league, Tucker, who remains a free agent after being released by the Ravens in May, was found in violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy. Advertisement In a statement, Tucker's representative Rob Roche said they were "disappointed" in the NFL's ruling, but that they would not be appealing the decision. "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," Roche wrote. Per the NFL, Tucker's suspension will start Aug. 26, when rosters are finalized. If he does not sign with a team, he will serve his suspension while not under contract with a team. The NFL added that Tucker can participate in training camp and preseason games if he signs with a team this offseason. Under the suspension, Tucker will be eligible to return to the field Nov. 11. Advertisement The Baltimore Banner first reported on Tucker's alleged misconduct at the end of January, as six massage therapists accused Tucker of acting inappropriately during sessions. In the weeks that followed, more therapists came forward with similar allegations, resulting in 16 accusers by mid-February. The alleged incidents took place between 2012 and 2016. Tucker, 35, joined the Ravens as a rookie in 2012, and spent the past 13 seasons in Baltimore. The five-time All-Pro had the worst season of his career in 2024, making only 73.3% of his kicks. Head coach John Harbaugh called the process of releasing Tucker "complicated" before ultimately categorizing it as a football decision. Baltimore drafted kicker Tyler Loop in April, seemingly as Tucker's replacement, before officially releasing the veteran the following week.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Justin Tucker Handed 10-Game Suspension By NFL
Justin Tucker Handed 10-Game Suspension By NFL originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Baltimore Ravens were thrust into uncertainty on special teams when kicker Justin Tucker was accused of sexual misconduct by several Baltimore-area massage therapists. Advertisement On May 5, the Ravens moved on from the former All-Pro, even after having remained adamant that they will wait for the NFL to conclude its investigation before making any significant moves regarding Tucker's future. Now, the NFL has announced Tucker's punishment. According to league insider Adam Schefter, Tucker, 35, is suspended without pay for the first 10 weeks of the 2025 season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. The following statement has been released by Tucker's representative Rob Roche: "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. 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. 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.' Advertisement In the league's press release, the suspension will take effect on roster cut day, August 26 and he will be eligible for reinstatement on November 11. Tucker is currently still a free agent. If he were to be signed by a team, he is able to serve his suspension under contract. He is able to communicate and try out for a club, and if he is signed, is able to attend training camp this offseason. Six massage therapists have come forward, accusing Tucker of inappropriate behavior during sessions that took place between 2012 and 2016. The allegations include claims that Tucker exposed himself, made inappropriate contact, and left bodily fluids on massage tables. Advertisement After the investigation had gotten underway, Tucker released a statement to address the allegations. "The allegations against me in The Baltimore Banner article about me are unequivocally false. Throughout my career as a professional athlete, I have always sought to conduct myself with the utmost professionalism," said Tucker. "I have never before been accused of misconduct of any kind, and I have never been accused of acting inappropriately in front of a massage therapist or during a massage therapy session or during other bodywork. I have never received any complaints from a massage therapist, have never been dismissed from a massage therapy or bodywork session, and have never been told that I was not welcome at any spa or other place of business." These accusations have cast a dark cloud over Tucker's otherwise stellar career. Tucker - maybe the best kicker of his generation - is coming off the worst year of his career. He made a disastrous 73.3 percent of his field goal attempts (especially compared to his all-time best career average of 89.1 percent). He also missed more field goals between 40 and 49 yards than he had in any other season. Advertisement With the 10th pick of the sixth round of the NFL Draft, the Ravens took Arizona kicker Tyler Loop, who is expected to be Tucker's replacement this season. Related: Ravens Ex Breaks Silence On Bizarre Weather Suspension Related: Shannon Sharpe Scandal Means 'Likely' End at ESPN, Predicts Dan LeBatard This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Former Ravens kicker Justin Tucker suspended 10 games for violating NFL's conduct policy
Former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has been suspended for the first 10 weeks of the 2025 regular season for violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy, the league announced Thursday. Tucker, who was released by the Ravens following multiple allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior by Baltimore-area massage therapists, will be eligible for reinstatement on Nov. 11. Advertisement The NFL had been investigating the allegations, which were made public in a series of reports by The Baltimore Banner in January. Tucker was accused of inappropriate sexual behavior by 16 Baltimore-area massage therapists from eight different spas in alleged incidents dating back to 2012. Tucker has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations 'unequivocally false.' 'We are disappointed with the NFL's decision,' Tucker's agent, Rob Roche, said in a statement to The Athletic. 'Justin has always strived to carry himself in a way that would make his family and community proud. He stands by his previous statements.' Roche added that he had advised Tucker to accept the suspension 'in order to put this difficult episode behind him and get back on the field as soon as possible.' In April, the Ravens selected kicker Tyler Loop in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, then released Tucker on May 5 for 'football reasons.' The five-time All-Pro was coming off a career-worst season with eight missed field goal attempts in 2024. Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters in May that releasing Tucker was 'complex' and a 'multi-layered decision.' 'If it was just a black and white simple thing, then it would be easy to understand,' Harbaugh said. 'But I think anybody can look at the whole thing in perspective and say, 'OK, we've got to have a kicker ready to go,' and there's a whole lot of moving parts of that deal.' Tucker is currently a free agent, but if he is signed by a team in the offseason, he will be able to participate in minicamp and preseason games. The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec contributed to this story.
