Justin Tucker, the man known for his precision with a football, faces an unexpected timeout this season. Once a cornerstone of reliability as one of the most accurate kickers in NFL lore, Tucker is now staring down a 10-week suspension from the league due to actions off the field. The origin of this setback ties back to allegations of misconduct during massage therapy sessions – a matter first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
At 35, Tucker, the former Ravens talent, finds himself adrift in the free agent pool. His release by the team last month stirred speculation, given that the NFL’s investigation into his conduct was still in progress at that time.
Despite this backdrop, the Ravens stood firm that their decision was rooted purely in football. Nonetheless, the timing had many raising their eyebrows.
The claims, originating from reports by 16 women via the Baltimore Banner, revolve around incidents that allegedly occurred between 2012 and 2016. Even as Tucker firmly denies the allegations, the NFL has concluded its investigation with a verdict: Tucker breached the personal conduct policy, hence the 10-week suspension commencing on August 26, the day lined up with roster cutdowns, and concluding on November 11.
Importantly, no criminal charges or civil lawsuits have targeted Tucker thus far. The resolution on his suspension took form after thorough talks involving the league, his representatives, and the NFL Players Association.
The league’s current collective bargaining agreement allows for disciplinary action even absent criminal proceedings, based on its own investigations. Most resolution processes avoid reaching a third-party disciplinary officer, as evidenced by the lone exception in 2022, when former judge Sue L.
Robinson intervened in Deshaun Watson’s case.
Eric DeCosta, the Ravens’ General Manager, reflected on parting ways with Tucker, labeling it as a tough football decision. Meanwhile, with Tucker’s chapter closed, the Ravens have drafted rookie Tyler Loop, ready to step onto the field when the season kicks off. Head coach John Harbaugh highlighted the team’s unawareness about the investigation’s intricacies, asserting, “Every decision we make has to be based on football.”
Famed for achieving an astronomical 89.1 percent field goal accuracy – a record in the NFL – Tucker’s future now hangs in the balance. No longer just a gridiron legend, he faces a new kind of scrutiny, coupled with the uncertainty of whether a team will embrace the chance of his return to excellence on the field. As the season unfolds, eyes will be watching to see which team might roll the dice on this celebrated yet currently benched star.
