Justin Tucker Suspended: Ravens Legend Faces 10-Week Ban

Former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has been suspended for the first ten games of the upcoming season. The NFL announced the decision Thursday, adding a significant hurdle for the veteran player and creating immediate impact on the team’s strategic approach.

The Suspension Details

The league’s investigation uncovered violations of its Personal Conduct Policy, resulting in the suspension for the well-regarded placekicker. This ban commences on August 26, coinciding with the roster cutdown day, and will continue through November 11, when Tucker is eligible for reinstatement.

Tucker’s agent, Rob Roche, released a statement addressing the situation:

“We are disappointed with the NFL’s decision. Justin has always strived to carry himself in a way that would make his family and community proud. He stands by his previous statements. In order to put this difficult episode behind him and get back on the field as soon as possible, we have advised Justin to accept this resolution and close this matter. The people who know Justin best know his character and understand that while he remains fully committed to excellence as a football player, he is deeply dedicated to his most important lifetime roles as a father, husband, and friend.”

—Rob Roche, Agent

Data from the NFL shows that the average length of an NFL kicker’s career is just over five seasons, making Tucker’s longevity a notable anomaly (Statista 2023).

Allegations and Previous Statements

The suspension follows accusations of sexual misconduct made by sixteen Baltimore-area massage therapists against Tucker between 2012 and 2016. These allegations appeared in a January piece by the Baltimore Banner.

Following the initial reports, Tucker issued a denial, branding the claims “unequivocally false.” Later, he offered an apology.

“It devastates me to know that anyone I have worked with would not have felt respected and valued as a professional, but more importantly as a person, and to anyone who has felt otherwise, I am sorry,”

—Justin Tucker

Team Response and Release

Initially, the Ravens acknowledged the allegations with a statement.

“We are aware of the Baltimore Banner’s story regarding Justin Tucker,” the team said. “We take any allegations of this nature seriously and will continue to monitor the situation.”

—Baltimore Ravens

Subsequently, on May 5, the Ravens released Tucker after thirteen seasons, describing it as a “football decision.”

“Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances,”

—Eric DeCosta, General Manager

Tucker, undrafted out of Texas, played in 212 games for the Ravens. He made 417 of his 468 field-goal attempts. His 89.1% completion rate is the highest in the league, and he holds the record for the longest field goal at 66 yards.

The suspension will have a significant impact on the Ravens as they move into the new season without their star kicker for a considerable period.