Latest news with #honorcode
Reuters
7 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Facing suspension, Jake Retzlaff withdraws from BYU
July 11 - Embattled quarterback Jake Retzlaff announced Friday that he is withdrawing from BYU, a move that comes after he was recently accused of sexual assault in a civil lawsuit. Retzlaff contended the sex was consensual. The suit was dismissed June 30 but Retzlaff still faced a seven-game suspension for violating the school's honor code that prohibits premarital sex. "After a lot of prayer, reflection, and conversations with those I trust, I've made the difficult decision to officially withdraw from BYU and step away from the BYU Football program," Retzlaff said on Instagram. "BYU has meant more to me than just football. It's been a place of growth -- spiritually, mentally and physically. I'm grateful for every teammate, coach, staff member and fan who's supported me along the way. The relationships and memories I've made in Provo will always be a part of me." Retzlaff will likely walk on to another program in coming weeks. Retzlaff emerged as a star last season and the school has no clear-cut replacement for the 2025 campaign. "We are grateful for the time Jake Retzlaff has spent at BYU," the school's athletic department said in a statement. "As he moves forward, BYU Athletics understands and respects Jake's decision to withdraw from BYU, and we wish him all the best as he enters the next phase of his career." At this week's Big 12 media days, coach Kalani Sitake had little to say about Retzlaff. "We love Jake Retzlaff and appreciate all that he's done for our program," Sitake said on Tuesday. .".. It would be inappropriate for me to make a statement in his situation." The lawsuit alleged that Retzlaff committed the assault in November 2023 at his home in Provo, Utah. According to the suit, Retzlaff and Jane Doe started to watch a movie in his room and began kissing. The lawsuit says Jane Doe did not want to go any further and asked him to "stop," but Retzlaff eventually found a condom and assaulted her. Retzlaff, a California native who began his career playing for Riverside (Calif.) City College, transferred to BYU prior to the 2023 season. After starting the final four games in 2023, he won a training-camp battle to become the Cougars' regular quarterback in 2024. He led them to an 11-2 record and an Alamo Bowl win over Colorado. He finished the campaign with 2,947 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound redshirt senior had been expected to reprise his role this fall. Now Retzlaff will seek to make an impact at another school. "I'm excited to turn the page and embrace the next chapter," Retzlaff said. "My journey is far from over -- and I'm more motivated than ever to keep chasing my goals." BYU opens the season Aug. 30 against visiting Portland State. --Field Level Media
New York Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Jake Retzlaff, facing possible suspension, announces departure from BYU
BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff announced Friday that he is leaving the football program and withdrawing from the university, following reports that he could face a suspension for violating the school's honor code. Retzlaff's departure follows a civil lawsuit in May — which was later withdrawn — accusing the quarterback of sexual assault and battery. Advertisement 'BYU has meant more to me than just football. It's been a place of growth — spiritually, mentally, and physically,' Retzlaff wrote in a post on Instagram. 'I'm grateful for every teammate, coach, staff member, and fan who's supported me along the way. The relationship and memories I've made in Provo will always be a part of me.' In June, The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Retzlaff could face a seven-game suspension for violating the school's honor code, which requires students to 'live a chaste and virtuous life, including abstaining from sexual relations outside marriage between a man and a woman.' That report followed the civil lawsuit, filed by an unidentified woman, who said that Retzlaff raped, strangled and bit her. Retzlaff denied the allegations and said that the encounter was consensual. The plaintiff withdrew the lawsuit in June. At Big 12 media days on Tuesday, BYU coach Kalani Sitake said he planned to 'prep for everything' when it came to Retzlaff's status. 'As a coach, you're prepping for the worst-case scenario. The fact that we could be in a quarterback competition, that's gonna be the key,' Sitake said. 'We'll have somebody there to catch the snap. We just have to let them win it out.' Last season, Retzlaff threw for 2,947 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, with BYU finishing 11-2. Now, junior Treyson Bourguet, redshirt sophomore McCae Hillstead and freshman Bear Bachmeier will likely compete to start at quarterback. As for what's next for Retzlaff, while the transfer portal is not an option this late in the calendar, his decision to withdraw from BYU means he will likely enroll elsewhere as a normal student to continue playing college football. Now-Miami defensive back Xavier Lucas did the same thing after leaving Wisconsin last winter outside of the portal window. 'I'm excited to turn the page and embrace the next chapter,' Retzlaff said in his statement. 'My journey is far from over — and I'm more motivated than ever to keep chasing my goals.'
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff breaks his silence with bombshell statement after rape and strangulation allegations
BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff has announced he is unenrolling from the university amid a sexual assault lawsuit and facing further suspension due to a violation of the school's strict honor code. Retzlaff, who is Jewish and embraced his heritage at the school by coining the nickname 'BYJew', posted an announcement on social media that he'd be leaving the university owned by the Mormon church. 'After a lot of prayer, reflection, and conversations with those I trust, I've made the difficult decision to officially withdraw from BYU and step away from the BYU Football program,' Retzlaff posted on his Instagram account. 'BYU has meant more to me than just football. It's been a place of growth - spiritually, mentally, and physically. 'I'm grateful for every teammate, coach, staff member, and fan who's supported me along the way. The relationships and memories I've made in Provo will always be a part of me. 'That said, I'm excited to turn the page and embrace the next chapter. My journey is far from over - and I'm more motivated than ever to keep chasing my goals.'
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
BYU QB Jake Retzlaff reportedly transferring in wake of honor code suspension stemming from sexual assault allegation
Jake Retzlaff is reportedly transferring from BYU as he faces suspension for an honor code violation. (Photo by) Content warning: This article contains depictions of alleged sexual assault. BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff is anticipating a seven-game suspension from the school for an honor code violation in the wake of a sexual assault allegation against him, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. Advertisement Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, Retzlaff intends to transfer in anticipation of the suspension. Retzlaff is a graduate student and has a single year of eligibility remaining. Retzlaff has denied the allegation that was made in a lawsuit filed in May. He contends that he had consensual sex with his accuser, which appears to the the reason that he's facing a suspension from BYU, rather than the sexual assault allegation. Per the SLT, engaging in consensual premarital sex is a violation of the honor code at BYU, which is run by the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Students at BYU are subject to a strict honor code that prohibits premarital sex and instructs students to 'live a chaste and virtuous life." Retzlaff is not Mormon, but the honor code rules apply to all BYU students. Other BYU athletes have faced lengthy honor code suspensions, including NFL running back Jamaal Williams, who missed the entire 2015 season when he was at BYU. Williams said said he told the Green Bay Packers in his pre-draft interview that "I had a girl in my room" when asked about why he missed 2015. What Retzlaff is accused of A Salt Lake County woman referred to as Jane Doe A.G. accused Retzlaff of sexual assault in a lawsuit that was filed in May. Per the lawsuit, Retzlaff's accuser alleges that Retzlaff sexually assaulted her in 2023 in his home. The lawsuit states that she consented to kissing while in Retzlaff's room but "did not want to do anything more." She accuses Retzlaff of forcibly raping her after she repeatedly told him "no" and to "stop." Advertisement Per the lawsuit, Retzlaff's accuser reported the alleged sexual assault to police and underwent a rape kit. According to the lawsuit, she did not initially identify Retzlaff to police. Retzlaff does not face criminal charges. The lawsuit seeks damages of at least $300,000 for alleged battery, assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Retzlaff denied that he assaulted his accuser in a legal response filed Friday in Utah's 3rd District Court. He acknowledges that he had sex with his accuser as part of a 'normal evening of consensual sexual interaction.' His filing alleges that the accuser intends to "extort money from him" now that he's an NFL prospect. News of Retzlaff's pending suspension arrives two days after he issued his court filing stating that he engaged in consensual sex. Retzlaff transferred to BYU from Riverside City College in 2023 and was BYU's starting quarterback in 2024. He led the Cougars to an 11-2 season that concluded with an Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado. Retzlaff completed 57.9% of his passes for 2,947 yards (226.7 yards per game) on 8 yards per attempt with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
BYU QB Jake Retzlaff reportedly transferring in wake of honor code suspension stemming from sexual assault allegation
Jake Retzlaff is reportedly transferring from BYU as he faces suspension for an honor code violation. (Photo by) Content warning: This article contains depictions of alleged sexual assault. BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff is anticipating a seven-game suspension from the school for an honor code violation in the wake of a sexual assault allegation against him, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. Advertisement Per ESPN's Pete Thamel, Retzlaff intends to transfer in anticipation of the suspension. Retzlaff is a graduate student and has a single year of eligibility remaining. Retzlaff has denied the allegation that was made in a lawsuit filed in May. He contends that he had consensual sex with his accuser, which appears to the the reason that he's facing a suspension from BYU, rather than the sexual assault allegation. Per the SLT, engaging in consensual premarital sex is a violation of the honor code at BYU, which is run by the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Students at BYU are subject to a strict honor code that prohibits premarital sex and instructs students to 'live a chaste and virtuous life." Retzlaff is not Mormon, but the honor code rules apply to all BYU students. Other BYU athletes have faced lengthy honor code suspensions, including NFL running back Jamaal Williams, who missed the entire 2015 season when he was at BYU. Williams said said he told the Green Bay Packers in his pre-draft interview that "I had a girl in my room" when asked about why he missed 2015. What Retzlaff is accused of A Salt Lake County woman referred to as Jane Doe A.G. accused Retzlaff of sexual assault in a lawsuit that was filed in May. Per the lawsuit, Retzlaff's accuser alleges that Retzlaff sexually assaulted her in 2023 in his home. The lawsuit states that she consented to kissing while in Retzlaff's room but "did not want to do anything more." She accuses Retzlaff of forcibly raping her after she repeatedly told him "no" and to "stop." Advertisement Per the lawsuit, Retzlaff's accuser reported the alleged sexual assault to police and underwent a rape kit. According to the lawsuit, she did not initially identify Retzlaff to police. Retzlaff does not face criminal charges. The lawsuit seeks damages of at least $300,000 for alleged battery, assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Retzlaff denied that he assaulted his accuser in a legal response filed Friday in Utah's 3rd District Court. He acknowledges that he had sex with his accuser as part of a 'normal evening of consensual sexual interaction.' His filing alleges that the accuser intends to "extort money from him" now that he's an NFL prospect. News of Retzlaff's pending suspension arrives two days after he issued his court filing stating that he engaged in consensual sex. Retzlaff transferred to BYU from Riverside City College in 2023 and was BYU's starting quarterback in 2024. He led the Cougars to an 11-2 season that concluded with an Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado. Retzlaff completed 57.9% of his passes for 2,947 yards (226.7 yards per game) on eight yards per attempt with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
