The Baltimore Ravens have cut ties with longtime kicker Justin Tucker after 16 massage therapists accused him of sexual misconduct.
“Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances,” Ravens executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement on Monday, May 5. “Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker.”
The statement continued, “Justin created many significant and unforgettable moments in Ravens history. His reliability, focus, drive, resilience and extraordinary talent made him one of the league’s best kickers for over a decade. We are grateful for Justin’s many contributions while playing for the Ravens. We sincerely wish him and his family the very best in this next chapter of their lives.”
The Ravens did not mention the accusations against Tucker when announcing his dismissal.
Tucker, 35, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Ravens in 2012 and has played the last 13 seasons with the team. Last month, the Ravens drafted kicker Tyler Loop in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, an indication that Tucker’s time in Baltimore might be coming to an end.
Earlier this year, a total of 16 massage therapists accused Tucker of inappropriate behavior during their sessions with him.
In January, six people accused Tucker of exposing himself during visits to a series of four high-end spas and wellness centers in Baltimore. After the allegations were made in a story published in The Baltimore Banner, three more individuals came forward with similar allegations.
Weeks later, seven additional massage therapists accused Tucker of similar behavior, while also alleging he brushed massage therapists’ thighs and, in one case, left ejaculate on the massage table after his session.
An NFL spokesperson told CBS Sports that the league’s investigation into the claims against Tucker remains “under review.”
Tucker called the allegations “unequivocally false” in a lengthy statement posted via X in January.
According to Tucker, the events at the wellness centers were “deliberately misconstrued.”
“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,” he continued in his statement. “It is devastating for me to learn that anyone would feel I was offensive in any way. I maintain I did not act inappropriately at any point before, during or after a professional bodywork treatment session.”
Tucker added, “I would never intend to offend or hurt anyone, ever. As a matter of principle, I respect when individuals come forward to report misconduct of any kind. I support a process that allows claims to be properly investigated. But, for the sake of myself and my family, I cannot allow false claims to go unchallenged. These allegations are false and incredibly hurtful to both me, and more importantly, my family.”
The kicker’s wife, Amanda Bass, defended her husband in her own statement released in February.
“The false allegations against Justin have caused so much hurt to our family,” Bass told Outkick. “I believe my husband, and I love and support him fully.”
