Amid allegations of sexual misconduct, NFL kicker Justin Tucker has responded by accusing The Baltimore Banner of having “journalistic failures.” On Thursday afternoon, The Baltimore Banner published a report asserting Tucker engaged in “inappropriate behavior” at four upscale spas and wellness centers. The report details accusations from six different massage therapists who claimed Tucker exhibited sexual misconduct, including exposing his genitals and making inappropriate contact, with two spas reportedly banning him due to these incidents occurring between 2012 and 2016.
“I’ve told people about this over the years, and they either act like it’s hot goss[ip] or a joke,” one therapist who worked on Tucker in 2016 told The Banner. “But it was really degrading.” Despite being a well-respected member of the Baltimore Ravens since 2012 and considered one of the best kickers in NFL history, Tucker has firmly denied the allegations, accusing The Baltimore Banner of distorting facts to create a false narrative aimed at generating clicks.
— Justin Tucker (@jtuck9) January 30, 2025
The Banner stated that they received a tip on Jan. 9, which initiated their investigation, leading them to collect testimony from six different massage therapists. Tucker further claims the outlet is “deliberately misconstruing events as nefarious” in an attempt to weave a preconceived narrative.
The Ravens and the NFL initially did not comment on The Banner’s report; however, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy later addressed the allegations, stating: “We first became aware of the allegations from the reporter investigating this story, as they were not previously shared with the NFL. We take any allegation seriously and will look into the matter.”
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy on Justin Tucker allegations: “We first became aware of the allegations from the reporter investigating this story as they were not previously shared with the NFL. We take any allegation seriously and will look into the matter.”
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) January 30, 2025
In a related context, in 2022, NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson received an 11-game suspension after numerous women accused him of sexual misconduct during massage sessions. Watson was never charged criminally, though he settled 23 of the 24 civil lawsuits brought against him.
