The Baltimore Ravens have announced that scandalized kicker Justin Tucker has been released.
The 35-year-old’s future has been in question after 16 massage therapists – from across eight spas and wellness centers in the Baltimore area – made allegations of sexual misconduct against the married NFL star.
Tucker denies any wrongdoing and previously branded the accusations ‘shocking and heart-breaking’. But on Monday, the Ravens confirmed they had taken the ‘tough decision’ to release Tucker.
In a statement, general manager Eric DeCosta made no mention of the allegations and heaped praise on Tucker, who had been with the Ravens since 2012. DeCosta insisted the kicker’s future was decided by on-field factors.
‘Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances,’ the statement read.
‘Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker.
The Baltimore Ravens have revealed that scandalized kicker Justin Tucker has been released
The 35-year-old’s future has been in question since allegations of sexual misconduct emerged
Tucker met his now-wife Amanda during their freshman year at the University of Texas
‘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.’
Among the allegations leveled against Tucker are that he repeatedly – and deliberately – exposed his erect genitals.
Two therapists claim he brushed them with his penis. More than once, meanwhile, the kicker is accused of leaving what appeared to be ejaculate on the massage table.
Back in February, it was reported that NFL investigators visited Baltimore to interview therapists who had made the bombshell claims about the Ravens kicker.
Around the same time, DeCosta called the allegations ‘serious and concerning’ and refused to rule out terminating Tucker’s contract.
On Monday, however, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh insisted any decision on Tucker’s future ‘has to be based on football’.
Tucker, 35, recently finished his 13th season in the NFL, all with the Ravens. His 66-yard field goal in 2021 remains the longest successful kick in league history.
In 2022, he agreed to a four-year contract extension through the 2027 season. That deal included $17.5million guaranteed. But in 2024, Tucker endured the worst season of his career and in this month’s draft, Baltimore added kicker Tyler Loop to their roster.
Ravens GM Eric DeCosta called the allegations against Tucker ‘serious’ and ‘concerning’
Tucker has been hit with allegations of inappropriate behavior by a total of 16 women
That decision sparked renewed speculation surrounding the future of Tucker, who insisted back in February: ‘I maintain I did not act inappropriately at any point before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment session, nor have I ever been told I am unwelcome at any massage therapy provider. These claims are simply not true.’
The alleged incidents are all said to have occurred between 2012 – Tucker’s rookie season in Baltimore – and 2016.
Tucker’s wife Amanda Bass said she ‘fully supports’ her husband and believes he has been ‘falsely’ accused.
The 35-year-old met Bass at the University of Texas before they married in 2015. They have one child together and she told Outkick: ‘The false allegations against Justin have caused so much hurt to our family. I believe my husband, and I love and support him fully.’
