BALTIMORE — The NFL is set to investigate claims regarding inappropriate behavior attributed to Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, involving multiple massage therapists at various wellness centers in the Baltimore region, according to a league representative.
Recent reports from the Baltimore Banner unveiled detailed allegations from six massage therapists who shared experiences with Tucker dating back to 2012 through to 2016. These therapists indicated that they either concluded their sessions prematurely or chose not to provide services to him again, while management at two establishments confirmed banning him from their premises.
“We were first informed of these allegations via a reporter conducting an investigation, as they had not been reported to the NFL earlier,” stated league spokesman Brian McCarthy. “We view all allegations seriously and are committed to thoroughly looking into this situation.”
The reported allegations detail instances of Tucker allegedly exposing himself, with some therapists alleging he brushed against them with his genitals and left what they believed to be bodily fluids on the massage table after several treatments.
In response to the Banner’s report, Tucker took to social media to refute the claims, labeling them as “unequivocally false.” He criticized the article for taking innocent interactions and misrepresenting them in a manner that distorts the facts and presents unwarranted insinuations as truths.
At 35, Tucker has recently concluded his thirteenth season in the NFL, having spent his entire professional career with the Ravens. He has gained significant recognition, standing out as a player who has garnered admiration from fans well beyond the typical reputation of a kicker. Notably, he holds the record for the longest field goal in NFL history, a remarkable 66-yarder completed in 2021.
In 2022, he secured a four-year contract extension set to last through the 2027 season, which came with $17.5 million guaranteed. A spokesperson for the Ravens acknowledged awareness of the allegations and Tucker’s response, stating, “We take any allegations of this nature seriously and will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
The Banner also reported that representatives from the spa chain Ojas indicated Tucker had been “immediately terminated as a client” in 2014 following a report from a massage therapist regarding an alleged incident during a session. Meanwhile, the owners of Studio 921, which has since closed, confirmed through legal counsel that they acted swiftly to ban Tucker to ensure a safe environment for all their clients.
In his defense, Tucker maintained, “I have never received any complaints from any massage therapist, have never been asked to leave a massage session, and have never been disallowed from returning to any spa or similar facility.”
The nature of these accusations draws parallels to claims made against another NFL player, quarterback Deshaun Watson, who faced similar allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions while with the Houston Texans. Watson was ultimately sidelined for the first 11 games of the 2022 season following a ruling by an independent arbitrator that he had indeed breached the league’s personal conduct policy.
