New England Patriots Participant Antonio Brown Denies Raping Former Coach
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Antonio Brown‘s former coach, Britney Taylor, has accused him of sexual assault, together with forcible rape, in a lawsuit filed within the South District of Florida on Tuesday. The New England Patriots large receiver has denied all allegations.
“Mr. Brown denies each allegation within the lawsuit,” his legal professional, Darren Heitner, mentioned in an announcement. “He’ll pursue all authorized cures to not solely clear his title, however to additionally defend different skilled athletes in opposition to false accusations.”
Taylor, a gymnast, allegedly met Brown throughout their time at Central Michigan College, the place they had been allegedly paired up as bible research companions inside the Christian Athletes group. Brown went on to play skilled soccer and Taylor transferred to Louisiana State College; nevertheless, they allegedly stayed in contact. She claimed Brown requested her for a revealing image throughout her senior 12 months in 2013; nevertheless, she mentioned she refused and that the 2 fell out of contact for roughly 4 years.
Nonetheless, Taylor claimed the 2 reconnected in 2017 after Brown allegedly reached out to her by way of Fb. She alleged he then requested her to assist him enhance his flexibility, ankle power and quick twitch muscular tissues. She claimed she agreed to supply bodily coaching providers—allegedly inflicting her to fly to areas in Pittsburgh and Florida, the place Brown resided and educated.
“Ms. Taylor by no means dated or had an curiosity in any romantic relationship with Brown,” the lawsuit said. “Their relationship, so far as Ms. Taylor believed and behaved, was that of a ‘brother-sister’ kind.”
Taylor accused Brown of sexually assaulting her twice whereas they had been in coaching classes in June 2017. The primary allegedly came about at his Pittsburgh house, the place she claimed she was staying as a result of he had not booked her a resort room. She mentioned she was getting dressed within the toilet when Brown allegedly walked in along with his penis uncovered. As well as, she claimed he grabbed her and kissed her with out her consent as she tried to stroll out of the toilet and canopy her eyes.
Within the lawsuit, Taylor claimed Brown masturbated close to her with out her data in his Miami house later that month. He additionally allegedly ejaculated on her again. Taylor, who allegedly had been watching footage of a church service on her iPad, claimed she “realized what occurred when she felt a moist spot soak by means of her clothes.” She mentioned she confided in her mom and Brown’s chef and was allegedly fired. She additionally accused Brown of bragging concerning the alleged incident in “astonishingly profane and indignant textual content messages.”
Per the lawsuit, Taylor then reduce off communication with Brown. Nonetheless, she claimed he reached again out to her a number of months later—”expressing contrition, begging forgiveness and pleading along with her to coach him once more.” She allegedly agreed and likewise allegedly dealt with duties like administrative work, journey reserving and babysitting.
Based on the lawsuit, Brown allegedly compelled her onto his mattress, pushed her face into the mattress and raped her in Miami on Might 20, 2018.
“Ms. Taylor tried to withstand him, however Brown was too sturdy and bodily overpowered her,” the lawsuit learn. “She screamed and cried all through your complete rape, repeatedly shouting ‘no’ and ‘cease.’ Brown refused and penetrated her.”
She stopped working for Brown after the alleged incident.
Within the lawsuit, it states that Brown’s alleged assaults and rape have “severely traumatized” Taylor and have induced her to undergo “near-daily panic assaults and suicidal ideations.”
Particularly, Taylor is accusing Brown of sexual battery (rape), battery, intentional infliction of emotional misery, false imprisonment and invasion of privateness.
“As a rape sufferer of Antonio Brown, deciding to talk out has been an extremely tough choice,” Taylor mentioned in an announcement. “I’ve discovered power in my religion, my household, and from the accounts of different survivors of sexual assault. Talking out removes the disgrace that I’ve felt for the previous 12 months and locations it on the particular person liable for my rape. I’ll cooperate with the NFL and some other companies; nevertheless, right now, I respectfully request that the media please respect my privateness.”
Once more, Brown “denies the entire accuser’s allegations.” His legal professional additionally claimed Brown and Taylor had been in a “consensual private relationship” and that “any sexual interplay with Brown was completely consensual.” His whole assertion was shared in a tweet.
STATEMENT REGARDING ANTONIO BROWN: https://t.co/yvEcRyilbt pic.twitter.com/0K9G8vJeG1
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) September 11, 2019
Taylor is searching for an award of damages for her alleged bodily accidents, ache and struggling, humiliation, embarrassment, stress and anxiousness, lack of self- esteem and self-confidence, and emotional ache and struggling. She’s additionally searching for an award of punitive damages to discourage Brown from participating in “future unlawful and/or wrongful conduct,” in addition to any additional aid deemed match by the court docket.
Brown formally signed with the Patriots on Monday afternoon.
“We’re conscious of the civil lawsuit that was filed earlier right now in opposition to Antonio Brown, in addition to the response by Antonio’s representatives,” the group mentioned in an announcement. “We take these allegations very significantly. Underneath no circumstance does this group condone sexual violence or assault. The league has knowledgeable us that they are going to be investigating. We could have no additional remark whereas that investigation takes place.”
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy additionally confirmed the Patriots’ assertion.
“The league will look into the matter. We weren’t conscious of it till the story broke final evening,” he mentioned.