Antonio Brown accused of rape in
lawsuit
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[September 11, 2019]
New England Patriots wide
receiver Antonio Brown is accused of rape by a woman who says she
was his personal trainer, according to a lawsuit filed in federal
court in Florida, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.
Brown denied the allegations through a statement issued by his
lawyer.
According to the reports, the woman alleges Brown, a resident of
South Florida, sexually assaulted her three times -- twice in June
2017 and once in May 2018. The accuser and Brown reportedly met
while they were both student-athletes at Central Michigan, the
accuser a gymnast and a participant with Brown in a Fellowship of
Christian Athletes group, according to TMZ Sports.
The first alleged incident occurred during a training session in
which "Brown exposed himself and kissed (the accuser) without her
consent," according to language in the lawsuit. In the second
alleged incident that month, Brown is accused of masturbating near
the accuser and ejaculating on her back.
According to the New York Times, profane text messages sent from
Brown to the accuser referring to such sex acts were attached to the
lawsuit. The Athletic's Nick Underhill tweeted what appeared to be
screen grabs of the texts (though Underhill referred to them as
"emails"). In them, Brown seemed to imply any sexual encounters were
consensual.
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The accuser stated in the suit she ended her working relationship
with Brown from there, but that when he reached out to her apologize
-- TMZ reported the suit stating Brown "begged forgiveness" -- she
reluctantly agreed to train him again.
But, according to the suit, the accuser said that on May 20, 2018,
Brown pushed her onto a bed face first, then "forcibly" raped her.
Though she shouted "no" and "stop," the accuser stated that Brown
refused and raped her, the Times reported.
"As a rape victim of Antonio Brown, deciding to speak out has been
an incredibly difficult decision," the accuser said in a statement
released by her lawyer, per the Times. "I have found strength in my
faith, my family, and from the accounts of other survivors of sexual
assault."
Later Tuesday night, Brown's attorney, Darren Heitner, released a
statement that read in part, "Mr. Brown denies each and every
allegation in the lawsuit. He will pursue all legal remedies to not
only clear his name, but to also protect other professional athletes
against false accusations."
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![](../images/091119PIX/sports45.jpg)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) looks on during the
first half against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at
State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY
Sports
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The statement adds that the accuser asked Brown to invest $1.6
million in a business idea, and then accused the woman of planning
to use some of that money to commit fraud. Heitner stated that Brown
refused to invest the money, but that the accuser approached Brown
in 2018 and offered to train him for the upcoming season.
"Thereafter, the accuser engaged Mr. Brown in a consensual personal
relationship," Heitner's statement read. "Any sexual interaction
with Mr. Brown was entirely consensual."
It is unknown whether the accuser reported any of her accusations to
police, though the Times reported that the accuser said in a
statement she would cooperate with any NFL investigation.
The suit is the latest development in a tumultuous and dizzying year
for Brown, who came to an agreement on a one-year deal with the
Patriots on Saturday, just hours after the Oakland Raiders released
him.
Among the highlights of Brown's brief stay in Oakland were a
frostbite-type injury sustained to his feet during cryotherapy, a
dispute with the NFL regarding his helmet that led to grievances and
camp walkouts, reportedly directing a racial slur and physical
threat at general manager Mike Mayock during an argument, and
recording a phone conversation with Jon Gruden and then posting it
to YouTube.
The Raiders acquired Brown in a March trade with the Pittsburgh
Steelers.
Brown was not allowed to be with the Patriots for the season opener
against the Steelers on Sunday night because of the timing of his
release, but he reportedly will practice with the team Wednesday and
could play this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
Neither the Patriots nor Raiders could be reached for comment when
the Times reached out.
--Field Level Media
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