A lawsuit filed by Britney Taylor, a former LSU gymnast, accuses New England Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown of sexually assaulting her on three separate occasions, according to multiple reports.
The lawsuit, which was filed in the Southern District of Florida and obtained by The New York Times, states Brown sexually assaulted Taylor twice in June 2017 and a third time in May 2018.
Taylor says Brown exposed himself and kissed her without consent. Then, in a later incident in June 2017, Brown ejaculated on Taylor as she was watching a television show at his home she alleges. The second incident is backed by up text messages Brown sent Taylor, which were included in the lawsuit.
The two met at Central Michigan where both were athletes during the 2009-2010 school year. Brown was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2010 NFL draft, and Taylor later transferred to LSU, where she was a gymnast in 2012 and 2013.
At some point, Brown hired Taylor to be his trainer, but after the two instances in June 2017, Taylor ended her work with Brown. According to the lawsuit, Taylor returned as Brown’s trainer after he apologized.
Then on May 20, 2018, Taylor alleged Brown forced her face down into a mattress and raped her despite her repeatedly telling him “no” and “stop.”
“As a rape victim of Antonio Brown, deciding to speak out has been an incredibly difficult decision,” Taylor said in a statement. “I have found strength in my faith, my family, and from the accounts of other survivors of sexual assault.”
Brown denied the allegations through his lawyer, saying all sexual interactions between Taylor and himself were consensual. ESPN reporter Josina Anderson reported Brown intends to countersue for extortion.
The Patriots released a statement late Tuesday night regarding the allegations, saying the NFL has begun an investigation.
“We take these allegations very seriously. Under no circumstance does this organization condone sexual violence or assault. The league has informed us that they will be investigating. We will have no further comment while that investigation takes place.”
New England acquired Brown from the Oakland Raiders over the weekend after he asked to be released. The NFL denied having prior knowledge of the allegations, and, according to Mark Maske, of The Washington Post. The league is considering placing him on the commissioner’s exempt list.
If Brown is placed on the exempt list, he will be ineligible to play but can still receive pay outlined in his contract.
This story will be updated as information becomes available.
Report: NFL investigating former LSU gymnast’s sexual assault accusations to NFL star Antonio Brown
By Brandon Adam | @badam___
September 11, 2019
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