Antonio Brown: Patriots Issue Statement After RB Is Accused Of Rape

Antonio Brown is back in the news just days after being cut by the Oakland Raiders and penning a new one-year deal with Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots. But this time it is much more serious than a fine or a helmet grievance; the running back has been accused of two accounts of sexual assault and rape by his former trainer and college Bible study partner.

Britney Taylor, who used to train Brown, is a former gymnast and she alleges that the Patriots running back sexually assaulted her on two occasions in June 2017 and then raped her in May 2018 after a night out with friends in Miami. Taylor, who lives in Memphis, Tennessee, filed a federal lawsuit in southern Florida on Tuesday and admitted that it was a difficult decision to speak out.

"I have found strength in my faith, my family, and from the accounts of other survivors of sexual assault. Speaking out removes the shame that I have felt for the past year and places it on the person responsible for my rape," she said in the statement, as quoted on CNN. "I will cooperate with the NFL and any other agencies; however, at this time, I respectfully request that the media please respect my privacy."

The allegations come just days after Brown signed a deal with the Patriots, which landed him a $9 million signing-on bonus. The four-time All-Pro running back’s lawyer Darren Heitner released a lengthy statement making it clear that Brown denied “each and every” allegation made in the lawsuit and that he intends to leave “no stone unturned” and will defend himself.

The lawyer, in the statement states that this accusation is just a way for Taylor to make a money grab and it is because Brown refused to invest $1.6 million in a business project proposed by the ex-gymnast and trainer. He also says that Taylor travelled to Brown’s residence on multiple occasions after the date of the alleged assault while also requesting for tickets for Pittsburg Steelers games in the winter of 2018.

The Patriots, who looked to have made a shrewd signing by landing Brown for one-season, released a statement and made it clear that they take the allegations very seriously. The franchise also confirmed the NFL’s involvement and revealed that they will not make any further comment until more details come to light via the investigation.

"We are aware of the civil lawsuit that was filed earlier today against Antonio Brown, as well as the response by Antonio's representatives. We take these allegations very seriously," the Patriots said in a statement late Tuesday. "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."