NFL kicker Justin Tucker accused of sexual misconduct by 6 masseuses: report

(NEXSTAR) – Justin Tucker, kicker for the Baltimore Ravens, has been accused by six massage therapists at four separate businesses of sexually inappropriate behavior, the Baltimore Banner reported Thursday. Tucker immediately denied the allegations.

The Banner said they received a tip about the inappropriate behavior earlier this month and investigated the allegations. The massage therapists told the Banner that Tucker exposed his genitals and made unwanted physical contact.

The alleged acts happened between 2012 and 2016 "at four high-end spas and wellness centers in the Baltimore region," according to the outlet. In two cases, Tucker was banned from returning, spa managers told the Banner.

Tucker denied the reporting in a statement shared on X. "The allegations in The Baltimore Banner article about are unequivocally false," he wrote. He accused the journalists of "deliberately misconstruing events as nefarious" and not giving him adequate time to respond to the claims.

VIDEO: What is the NFL's policy on sexual assault?

"I have always made a conscious effort to be considerate and respectful in all of the interactions with the community that I love so much," the statement said in part. "It is devastating for me to learn that anyone would feel I was offensive in any way. I maintain I did not act inappropriately at any point before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment session."

Tucker also noted he has hired legal counsel. His attorneys denied the allegations to the Banner.

The NFL said the organization is investigating the reports.

“We first became aware of the allegations from the reporter investigating this story as they were not previously shared with the NFL,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement. “We take any allegation seriously and will look into the matter.”

Tucker, 35, just finished his 13th season in the NFL, all with the Ravens. He's achieved stardom both league-wide and among Baltimore fans in a way that's rare for a kicker, and his 66-yard field goal in 2021 remains the longest-successful kick in league history.

In 2022, Tucker agreed to a four-year contract extension through the 2027 season. That deal included $17.5 million guaranteed.

“We are aware of the Baltimore Banner's story regarding Justin Tucker as well as his response,” a Ravens spokesman said. “We take any allegations of this nature seriously and will continue to monitor the situation.”

The allegations have some similarities to unrelated accusations made against another NFL player, quarterback Deshaun Watson. More than two dozen women accused Watson of sexual assault and harassment during massage therapy sessions while he played for Houston. After being traded to the Cleveland Browns, Watson missed the first 11 games of the 2022 season after an independent arbitrator determined that he had violated the league’s personal conduct policy.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.