Justin Tucker has been surrounded by controversy ever since a number of masseuses first accused him in January of sexual misconduct that occurred between 2012 and 2016, and now he has been punished for it. On Thursday, the NFL introduced that the previous Baltimore Ravens kicker had been suspended for 10 video games for violating the league’s private conduct coverage.
The sentence, which begins on August 26, is every week shorter than what Deshaun Watson, quarterback for the divisional rival Cleveland Browns, acquired within the wake of sexual misconduct allegations by a number of masseuses from when he was nonetheless a Houston Texan.
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Followers had completely different reactions to the punishment:
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“He’s by no means enjoying one other NFL snap,” one assured.
“Wild technique to exit on the heels of a HoF profession”, one other rued.
“Will the Browns signal him?” one other puzzled.
“NFL ought to ban massages at this level,” one “demanded”.
“Take pleasure in retirement,” one other “congratulated”.
On the time the allegations towards him emerged, Tucker, a former Tremendous Bowl champion, eight-time All-Professional, and seven-time Professional Bowler, was coming off a career-worst 73.3% subject purpose share within the 2024 common season. He was launched in Could, shortly after the Ravens drafted Tyler Loop within the sixth spherical.
Ian Rapoport explains why Justin Tucker isn’t contesting ten-game suspension
For the previous few months, Justin Tucker had been adamant about his innocence, decrying the allegations towards him as “determined tabloid fodder” that contained a number of “journalistic failures at each flip.”
Nonetheless, he has seemingly accepted his suspension to “put this tough episode behind him,” in keeping with an announcement by his consultant Rob Roche:
“We now have suggested Justin to just accept this decision and shut this matter. The individuals who know Justin finest know his character and perceive that whereas he stays totally dedicated to excellence as a soccer participant, he’s deeply devoted to his most vital lifetime roles as a father, husband, and pal.”
So why is the league’s present most correct kicker not interesting the choice? In response to Ian Rapoport, it’s as a result of he’s a free agent who might be unable to do a lot on the sphere till his suspension ends on November 11 (from 00:57 within the video beneath):
“So, no enchantment for Jutsin Tucker as a result of he isn’t employed by a workforce. He can work out, can theoretically follow with a workforce, which is what a exercise is, however can’t play in an precise sport till after the ten weeks are over.”
Neither Tucker nor the Ravens’ group has commented on the matter as of this writing.
Edited by Chaitanya Prakash