Former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has been suspended for the first 10 weeks of the 2025 NFL regular season due to violations of the league's personal conduct policy, the NFL announced on Thursday. This decision follows Tucker's release from the Ravens amid multiple allegations of sexually inappropriate behavior involving Baltimore-area massage therapists.
The suspension comes after an extensive investigation by the NFL into allegations that surfaced in January through reports by The Baltimore Banner. Tucker faces accusations from 16 massage therapists across eight different spas, with incidents reportedly dating back to 2012. The allegations detail inappropriate sexual behavior, raising serious concerns about Tucker's conduct.
Michael Belsky, an attorney representing many of the victims, stated, “The NFL’s findings validate the experiences told by each of the victims.” He criticized Tucker for not taking responsibility earlier, saying, “It would have been so simple for Mr. Tucker to just apologize many months ago. Instead, by attacking the credibility of the victims, he re-victimized them. This was not necessary and should not be acceptable.”
Despite the allegations, Tucker has consistently denied any wrongdoing, labeling the claims as “unequivocally false.” His agent, Rob Roche, expressed disappointment with the NFL's ruling, stating, “Justin has always strived to carry himself in a way that would make his family and community proud. He stands by his previous statements.” Roche advised Tucker to accept the suspension to facilitate a quicker return to the field.
In April, the Ravens drafted kicker Tyler Loop in the sixth round, leading to Tucker's release on May 5 for what the team described as “football reasons.” The five-time All-Pro kicker had a challenging previous season, with eight missed field goal attempts in 2024. Ravens coach John Harbaugh remarked on the complexity of the decision to release Tucker, noting, “If it was just a black and white simple thing, then it would be easy to understand.” He emphasized the importance of having a reliable kicker amidst the various factors influencing the decision.
Currently a free agent, Tucker's situation remains fluid. If he is signed by another team during the offseason, he will be eligible to participate in minicamp and preseason games. As the NFL navigates this high-profile case, many fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how this affects Tucker's career moving forward.
The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec contributed to this story. (Photo: Greg Fiume / Getty Images)
