Antonio Brown sued, woman alleges sexual assaults
New England Patriots receiver Antonio Brown has been accused of raping his former trainer, according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday in the Southern District of Florida.
The lawsuit says that Brown, in three separate incidents — two in June 2017 and another in May 2018 — sexually assaulted and forced himself on a woman named Britney Taylor, a gymnast whom he met while they were attending Central Michigan together and whom he later hired as a trainer.
“Mr. Brown denies each and every allegation in the lawsuit,” said a statement from Darren Heitner, a lawyer representing Brown. “He will pursue all legal remedies to not only clear his name but to also protect other professional athletes against false accusations.”
According to the lawsuit, Brown sexually assaulted Taylor twice during training sessions in June 2017. First, he exposed himself and kissed her without her permission, the lawsuit says. Later that month, the lawsuit says, while she was watching a television program at his home, Brown started masturbating behind her and ejaculated on her back. Brown bragged about the incident in profane text messages that are copied in the lawsuit.
Taylor ended her working relationship with Brown, the lawsuit says, but several months later, when he contacted her to apologize, she relented. She was, according to the lawsuit, “swayed by his assurance that he would cease any sexual advances.”
Then, the lawsuit says, on May 20, 2018, Brown forced her onto a bed, pushed her face into the mattress and “forcibly” raped her. She tried to resist him, screaming and repeatedly shouting “no” and “stop,” the lawsuit says, but Brown refused and penetrated her.
MORE OBJ WATCH DRAMA >> Watch it: Odell Beckham Jr.’s taking a stand against the NFL on his lavish wrist wear.
Beckham said Tuesday that he intends to keep wearing the expensive watch he had on during Sunday’s season opener against the Tennessee Titans. The showy wide receiver believes the league has made an issue out of his jewelry only because it’s him.
“I’m here to play football. I would love for them to talk about football and what I do on the field, if I messed up on the field or if I didn’t do well on the field, talk about my performance,” he said. “Don’t talk about any extracurricular, that’s just it. If anybody else would’ve worn the watch, or if it was a $20 watch, it wouldn’t have been no problem.”
SHORT YARDAGE >> Next up on the Jets’ constantly spinning kicking carousel: Sam Ficken.
New York signed Ficken, their fourth kicker since July, on Tuesday to try to solve their ongoing kicking woes.
• The Seahawks have resigned veteran cornerback Jamar Taylor, who was one of Seattle’s final cuts at the end of training camp.
• Center Nick Martin has signed a three-year, $33 million contract extension with the Houston Texans.
• The Tennessee Titans have added center Hroniss Grasu to their active roster and waived running back Dalyn Dawkins.
• The Chiefs have returned De’Anthony Thomas to the active roster and waived fellow wide receiver Byron Pringle with the hope that they can sign him to the practice squad should he clear waivers.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers will likely be without fullback and special teams captain Rosie Nix for Sunday’s visit by Seattle.
Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Nix is dealing with a knee injury sustained in a 33-3 loss to New England in the opener.
• New York Jets defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd has been suspended six games by the NFL for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancers.
• The New York Jets are getting some roster help from the most unlikely of sources: Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.
Adam Gase’s squad acquired wide receiver Demaryius Thomas from the Patriots for a 2021 sixthround draft pick on Tuesday, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.