Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker accused of inappropriate sexual behavior in bombshell report

The GIST: Seven-time Pro Bowler and Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker is facing allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior, as reported by The Baltimore Banner in a bombshell article yesterday. Here’s everything we know.

The allegations: According to claims from six massage therapists, the alleged misconduct occurred between 2012 and 2016 — during Tucker’s first five seasons in the NFL — and resulted in multiple massage therapists refusing to work with the long-time Ravens kicker, along with two spas banning him from returning.

• All of the horrifying alleged incidents occurred while Tucker was receiving treatment. The matter is being investigated by the NFL, and Tucker could be disciplined under the league’s personal conduct policy.

Tucker’s response: The veteran kicker responded with a lengthy social media post an hour after the allegations went public, calling the claims “unequivocally false.” His lawyers also denied the reports, stating that they’re speculative and “impossible to prove,” while maintaining that Tucker was never banned from the two spas.

Zooming out: It’s no secret that the NFL has a disappointingly long history of sexual misconduct amongst its athletes — and the league’s punishments rarely fit the crime. Though there’s still plenty to sort through, all eyes will once again be on the league’s handling of this reprehensible situation.