Ravens GM Eric DeCosta has spoken out on the future of Justin Tucker, after 16 massage therapists accused the kicker of sexual misconduct.
Speaking from the NFL Combine, DeCosta called the allegations against Tucker ‘serious and concerning,’ and refused to rule out terminating the player’s contract when asked if that was a possibility.
‘The allegations are serious, concerning. The amount of allegations are serious and concerning,’ he told reporters.
‘I think we’re fortunate that the league is doing an investigation. We’ll wait as patiently as we can for as much information as we can, and we’ll make our decisions based on that.’
DeCosta later added that he had met with Tucker, but declined to share the specifics of the conversation.
As reported by the Baltimore Banner, who first reported on the allegations against Tucker, the NFL visited Baltimore last week and interviewed at least three massage therapists who accused Tucker of inappropriate behavior.
Justin Tucker has been hit wit allegations of inappropriate behavior by a total of 16 women
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta called the allegations against Tucker ‘serious’ and ‘concerning’
DeCosta said the team became aware of the allegations against Tucker when they learned that a ‘local media outlet’ (presumably the Baltimore Banner) was preparing to publish their initial story on him, which ultimately went live on January 30.
Tucker has been accused of repeatedly exposing his erect genitals during massage sessions, among other allegations.
Two therapists say he brushed them with his penis. More than once, the kicker is also accused of leaving what appeared to be ejaculate on the massage table.
Tucker has denied any wrongdoing, insisting in a previous statement that he ‘did not act inappropriately at any point before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment session.’
‘I cannot be any clearer… these accusations are false and incredibly hurtful to both me, and more importantly, my family.’
Ravens coach John Harbaugh has previously cited a ‘zero tolerance’ policy from the team in regards to players mistreating women, as Ray Rice was swiftly cut in 2014 after video emerged of him punching and kicking his then- fiancée (who is now his wife) in an elevator.
DeCosta was asked to describe the franchise’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy on Tuesday but declined to get into specifics.
The kicker has been married to his college sweetheart, Amanda Bass, since 2015
‘We look at every case differently,’ he said.
The alleged incidents are all said to have occurred between 2012 – Tucker’s rookie season in Baltimore – and 2016.
Several therapists said they ended Tucker’s sessions early or refused to work on him again, and managers from two spas said they banned him from returning. Tucker has denied that he was ever barred from any establishment.
One woman therapist claimed Tucker stroked her inner thigh during their session. She also provided what she claimed to be an internal memo of her experiences with the Super Bowl winner from 2015.
Tucker, 35, recently finished his 13th season in the NFL, all with the Ravens.
The kicker, who is under contract through the 2027 season, made a career-low 73.3 percent of his kicks last year.
