It’s been a tumultuous few months for prominent NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown. First, there was his very public spat with the Oakland Raiders, who ultimately released him at his request. Brown, 31, then signed a $15 million, one-year deal with reigning Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots.
Just when it seemed like things were looking up and Brown posted an image of himself in a Patriots uniform with the hashtags #GodsPlan and #RewriteStory, he was accused of rape and sexual assault by a woman named Britney Taylor.
Taylor is a personal trainer and former gymnast who met Brown at Bible Study, reported the New York Post. According to a civil lawsuit filed Tuesday, Taylor was first introduced to Brown in 2010 at Central Michigan University during Bible Study at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting.
Taylor alleges Brown “exploited, sexually assaulted, and raped” her. The lawsuit states Taylor was assaulted by Brown on three separate occasions, twice in 2017 and once in 2018 after being hired to train him.
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According to the suit, in June 2017, Brown “exposed himself and kissed Ms. Taylor without consent.” Taylor said she clarified where they stood, but later that month Brown “began masturbating near her without her knowledge and ejaculated on her back.”
Taylor said Brown then sent her profane, degrading text messages so she cut off her working relationship with him. However, after Brown contacted her and apologized, she resumed working her relationship with him, which culminated with him raping her on May 20, 2018.
Brown has “denied each and every allegation” according to a statement released by his attorney Darren Heitner. Heitner said Brown has vowed to “clear his name” and “protect other professional athletes against false allegations.” Brown’s agent Drew Rosenhaus called the lawsuit “a money grab.”
A Miami native, Brown is a seven-time pro-bowler and one of the most notable receivers in the NFL. He spent most of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers before being traded to Oakland then signing with the Patriots.
Taylor is requesting monetary damages, but no criminal charges have been filed. The Patriots released a statement saying they take the allegations “very seriously.” However, Brown is still practicing with the team. Wednesday he debuted a new jersey number.
A district attorney in Pennsylvania said they would not move forward with investigating Taylor’s claims, despite Brown having been a member of the Steelers when the alleged incidents occurred.
Taylor said it was a tough decision to speak out. “I have found strength in my faith, my family and from the accounts of other survivors of sexual assault. Speaking out removes the shame that I have felt for the past year and places it on the person responsible for my rape,” Taylor’s statement said.
The NFL is investigating, but Brown is already being tried in the court of public opinion with supporters and critics alike.
