âIâm Innocent and It Was Consensualâ: BYU QB JakeâŻRetzlaff Strongly Denies Sexual Assault Lawsuit, Setting Up High-Stakes Legal Showdown
In a rapid courtroom reply this week, BYUâs star quarterback JakeâŻRetzlaff forcefully denied all allegations from a civil lawsuit filed by âJane DoeâŻA.G.,â who claims Retzlaff raped, strangled, and bit her in November 2023 at his Provo apartment . In his attorneyâs formal court response, Retzlaff âdenies each and every allegation,â insisting the sexual encounter was entirely consensualâand even âpleasantââending with the woman staying overnight and messaging him weeks later .
The lawsuit, lodged in Salt Lake County, alleges physical assault after Ms.âŻDoe asked him to stop while he was retrieving a condom, adding she later underwent a rape kit examination documenting numerous injuries, including bruises and cuts . The plaintiff is seeking significant punitive damages, alongside emotional distress compensation .
Retzlaffâs legal team has sought dismissal of the suit, calling it âmeritless,â and requested full reimbursement for his legal costs . Citing post-incident flirty text messages and a reportedly pleasant sleepover, his defense characterizes the suit as opportunisticâtimed to coincide with his breakout 2024 season and rising NFL prospect status .
BYU Athletics, bound by Title IX confidentiality, released a brief statement noting the university is taking the allegations âvery seriouslyâ and will follow required proceduresârefusing further comment due to privacy laws . Meanwhile, Provo police have refuted the claim that they discouraged the accuser from pressing charges, stating they provided care and follow-up but found no actionable leads at the time .
As Retzlaff heads into his senior seasonâwith over 2,900 yards passing in 2024âthe looming lawsuit creates a tense cloud over both his future and BYUâs reputation. The university faces a critical crossroads in balancing its athletic ambitions with its moral commitments .
đ Key Points at a Glance
Issue Summary
Allegations Jane Doe claims non-consensual sex, strangulation, biting; supported by medical exam and police involvement .
Retzlaffâs Response Denies all charges, asserts consensual sleepover, cites affectionate texts afterward .
Legal Strategy Seeking dismissal and legal cost coverage; suggests lawsuit was timed with his athletic success .
Institutional Stance BYU complies with TitleâŻIX policy; police deny discouragement claim, say no grounds for charges .
Final Thoughts
This unfolding legal drama places both Retzlaff and BYU under intense scrutinyâtesting the university’s values, leadership, and crisis management. With the civil case likely to take months or years, the quarterback remains on the field while facing one of the most serious personal and institutional challenges of his career. The coming months will test BYU’s honor code, judicial processes, and the quarterbackâs legacyâall under the spotlight of national attention.