āIām Innocent and It Was Consensualā: BYU QB JakeāÆRetzlaff Strongly Denies Sexual Assault Lawsuit, Setting Up High-Stakes Legal Showdown
In a rapid courtroom reply this week, BYUās star quarterback JakeāÆRetzlaff forcefully denied all allegations from a civil lawsuit filed by āJane DoeāÆA.G.,ā who claims Retzlaff raped, strangled, and bit her in November 2023 at his Provo apartment . In his attorneyās formal court response, Retzlaff ādenies each and every allegation,ā insisting the sexual encounter was entirely consensualāand even āpleasantāāending with the woman staying overnight and messaging him weeks later .
The lawsuit, lodged in Salt Lake County, alleges physical assault after Ms.āÆDoe 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 .
Retzlaffās legal team has sought dismissal of the suit, calling it āmeritless,ā 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 opportunisticātimed 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 āvery seriouslyā and will follow required proceduresārefusing 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 seasonāwith over 2,900 yards passing in 2024āthe looming lawsuit creates a tense cloud over both his future and BYUās reputation. The university faces a critical crossroads in balancing its athletic ambitions with its moral commitments .
š Key Points at a Glance
Issue Summary
Allegations Jane Doe claims non-consensual sex, strangulation, biting; supported by medical exam and police involvement .
Retzlaffās 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 TitleāÆIX policy; police deny discouragement claim, say no grounds for charges .
Final Thoughts
This unfolding legal drama places both Retzlaff and BYU under intense scrutinyātesting 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 quarterbackās legacyāall under the spotlight of national attention.