On Jan. 30, the Baltimore Banner revealed a story that illuminated several sexual misconduct allegations toward hometown legend and Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker. The accusations come from 16 different places, all being massage therapy spas.
The earliest instance of Tucker allegedly harassing a spa employee came in 2013, when a masseuse at a Ritz-Carlton spa in Baltimore levied accusations against the Ravens all-time leading scorer. “It was like a game to him,” said the woman who served him that day.
OUTKICK obtained two sworn declarations by Ritz-Carlton owners, corroborating the employee’s sentiment that Tucker was in fact harassing the employees at the spa. A sworn declaration by the owners could prove significant for the accusers as the declaration looks appealing to a jury.
However, the evidence seems to be conflicting since Tucker’s team unveiled a kind, congratulatory letter from another spa in Baltimore that accused Tucker of sexual misconduct. In the personalized letter, the QG Spa, located in Baltimore, thanked Tucker for his stays at the spa, congratulated him on his new Texas home, and invited him to return to the establishment.
“I maintain that I did not act inappropriately before, during, or after a professional bodywork treatment, nor have I ever been told I am unwelcome at any massage therapy provider,” said Tucker, his first statement in the wake of these accusations as given exclusively to OUTKICK. Outside of the aforementioned information, the details surrounding Tucker’s alleged harassment remain murky and will for a while.
Still, the NFL has a chance to put together a thorough investigation, potentially deplatforming and defunding an alleged serial predator. However, judging by the last time the NFL had a situation similar to this, it is unlikely this will happen.
In 2024, Deshaun Watson was a superstar quarterback in the league at the top of his game, coming off a near MVP season. This all came crashing down in the offseason when 26 women came out and accused Watson of sexual harassment in spas, similar to Tucker’s situation.
An investigation was in effect for Watson, and he was eventually suspended for 11 games and fined $5 million, which seems like a hefty punishment.
However, when you factor in that the Cleveland Browns signed Watson to a $230 million contract (all money being guaranteed), the suspension acted as more of a vacation for Watson than a punishment, and the fine seems like more of an inconvenience to the quarterback if anything.
This highlights the true “profit is power” mentality that the NFL and other major sports organizations have when it comes to their athletes. Ethics are completely removed from the discussion.
Stars like Watson get to make millions of dollars playing football in front of the country, while victims of these athletes face constant reminders of them on the TV screens of their homes and workplaces.