TMZ: New England Patriot Antonio Brown accused of rape by former trainer in federal lawsuit

[LGHT_TRSN]

That's not true at all.

What should be done then? Automatic guilty verdict and just punish then and there before a case is even brought before a court?

Yet another good reason why people would settle whether guilty or innocent, and especially to do so before anything became public.

Click to shrink...

What should or shouldn't be done is irrelevant to how an individual decides to respond to this news. Our justice system is fucked when it comes to rape. We can't change that.

But we can acknowledge that guilt/innocence in the court of law can be irrelevant by the lack of evidence in these cases, and we can believe women when they risk speaking up about powerful men, instead of siding with these powerful men, essentially calling the women liars. Why the hell do you think women don't speak up to begin with? Because when they do, they are slandered and dismissed by those looking to defend the man.

Ask Christine Ford how well speaking up worked out for her, and how much it actually changed things.

 

[Presice]

"I'll wait until it's proven in the court of law" is tantamount to calling her a liar. It's a dismissal of what she's saying under the guise of looking for "evidence" that we know does not exist in most rape cases.

Click to shrink...

This is laughable. If people were dismissing what she was saying, this thread wouldn't exist. Aint nobody calling her a liar.

And how exactly do they determine her credibility?

Click to shrink...

Hopefully not the same process that you're using to call this dude a rapist.

Anyway, seems like others are pretty heavily disagreeing with you, so I'll let it rest here with replies.

 

[whoaaabundy]

And the shit slinging begins

https://twitter.com/heybucknasty/status/1171810849801101313?s=21

For the record none of those clips prove anything one way or another but it is not a good look unfortunately.

Click to shrink...

It proves she lied in the lawsuit as she stated their relationship was like "brother sister" and professional.

And it goes without saying that this doesn't mean he didn't rape her.. it hurts her credibility though.

It seems as though no one is really talking about this video, but I see it as pretty damning.

*edit - clip in question

https://twitter.com/liontq/status/1171832364152102916?s=12

 

[Euphoria]

What should or shouldn't be done is irrelevant to how an individual decides to respond to this news. Our justice system is fucked when it comes to rape. We can't change that.

But we can acknowledge that guilt/innocence in the court of law can be irrelevant by the lack of evidence in these cases, and we can believe women when they risk speaking up about powerful men, instead of siding with these powerful men, essentially calling the women liars. Why the hell do you think women don't speak up to begin with? Because when they do, they are slandered and dismissed by those looking to defend the man.

Ask Christine Ford how well speaking up worked out for her, and how much it actually changed things.

Click to shrink...

Considering she claims to have evidence to prove it I don't see what your issue is with waiting.

You must also realize based on your argument here that there is a big difference between a claim of something that happened recently to something claimed to have happened 20-30 years prior.

You're jumping around now. Why not just let them both present their case and see how it plays out as both present their evidence?

 

[LGHT_TRSN]

If AB is PROVEN innocent, then who cares about what some people were saying on a message board? The dude can go back to making his millions of dollars playing football.

But proven innocent is not the same as finding insufficient evidence to prove him guilty.

 

[Tawpgun]

It proves she lied in the lawsuit as she stated their relationship was like "brother sister" and professional.

And it goes without saying that this doesn't mean he didn't rape her.. it hurts her credibility though.

It seems as though no one is really talking about this video, but I see it as pretty damning.

Click to shrink...

I don't know if I'd say damning

She was a friend and a trainer. She would be close to him. Even with him shirtless. Nothing in those videos is explicitly romantic in nature.

But it does not look great, I'd agree

 

[Kitten Mittens]

It proves she lied in the lawsuit as she stated their relationship was like "brother sister" and professional.

And it goes without saying that this doesn't mean he didn't rape her.. it hurts her credibility though.

It seems as though no one is really talking about this video, but I see it as pretty damning.

*edit - clip in question

https://twitter.com/liontq/status/1171832364152102916?s=12

Click to shrink...

What exactly is the takeaway from that video? She said they were friends. There's nothing intimate shown.

 

[Servbot24]

If AB is PROVEN innocent, then who cares about what some people were saying on a message board? The dude can go back to making his millions of dollars playing football.

But proven innocent is not the same as finding insufficient evidence to prove him guilty.

Click to shrink...

Your previous post makes it sound like waiting for evidence is equivalent to supporting rapists. I'm sure you didn't mean it that way, that's just how it reads.

 

[whoaaabundy]

What exactly is the takeaway from that video? She said they were friends. There's nothing intimate shown.

Click to shrink...

sitting on his lap, him and her on his bed while he's just wearing drawers. I'm not saying this is soft core porn, but it is a bit intimate.

 

[LGHT_TRSN]

Your previous post makes it sound like waiting for evidence is equivalent to supporting rapists. I'm sure you didn't mean it that way, that's just how it reads.

Click to shrink...

Because in many cases, it IS the same. Look at how GOPers deal with the Trump or Kav accusations. If it can't be proven in the court of law, then it's assumed the women are liars and the men are innocent.

 

[Euphoria]

What exactly is the takeaway from that video? She said they were friends. There's nothing intimate shown.

Click to shrink...

They may be referring to the one where she is sitting on his bed while he's in nothing but his boxers.

Doesn't prove they did anything sexual though.

 

[KHarvey16]

Because in many cases, it IS the same. Look at how GOPers deal with the Trump or Kav accusations. If it can't be proven in the court of law, then it's assumed the women are liars and the men are innocent.

Click to shrink...

Should we allow the GOP to dictate how we discuss anything?

 

[base_two]

sitting on his lap, him and her on his bed while he's just wearing drawers. I'm not saying this is soft core porn, but it is a bit intimate.

Click to shrink...

This. People who have a brother-sister relationship don't typically have videos of them in the bed in undergarments. (not grown adults) That doesn't cast doubt on the rape allegations, but it absolutely does with her statement about the nature of their relationship. And with some of the other evidence shown so far, it's only fair to be neutral about this until we know a bit more.

 

[LGHT_TRSN]

Should allow the GOP to dictate how we discuss anything?

Click to shrink...

Should I use Big Ben or Kobe as better examples?

 

[KHarvey16]

Should I use Big Ben or Kobe as better examples?

Click to shrink...

I'd suggest no, but I'm sure you'll disagree.

 

[Tawpgun]

Should I use Big Ben or Kobe as better examples?

Click to shrink...

Oh people still rag on Big Ben and Kobe for being rapists

I'd also argue their accusations, especially Bens, were more credible.

 

[Kitten Mittens]

Considering she claims to have evidence to prove it I don't see what your issue is with waiting.

You must also realize based on your argument here that there is a big difference between a claim of something that happened recently to something claimed to have happened 20-30 years prior.

You're jumping around now. Why not just let them both present their case and see how it plays out as both present their evidence?

Click to shrink...

Considering this is a civil case, she better have evidence because there won't be any police or forensics reports like you'd get in a criminal trial. This case is going to be her own evidence against his, which is why claiming that people who want to see that evidence from both of them are really just calling her a liar is utter drivel. That's the entire point of a civil lawsuit.

 

[Sanjuro]

This is going nowhere. The NFL is filled with rapists and abusers with more documentation.

 

[Euphoria]

Looking at video again and I'll say again that it doesn't prove they had sex or anything they are on his bed, he's in nothing but drawers and she is wearing a tank top and you can see she has no pants on as her legs are exposed, at best maybe she has pajama shorts or possibly underwear as well.

I've never had a trainer but that doesn't seem like a typical trainer/client, brother/sister relationship or something a regular friend would do.

 

[qaopjlll]

Didn't NFL's own investigation on Deflategate last well over a year? Almost two years. These allegations should at least warrant the same scrutiny, time, and effort as fracking footballs. Unless she has airtight proof against AB just waiting for the investigators and it's open and shut. Then he's cooked anyways.

Click to shrink...

To be fair, the only reason the Deflategate case went on so long was because the NFL had to sit around waiting for Tom Brady to buy a new phone, so that they could claim he "destroyed" his old one to obstruct the investigation.

 

[Chasex]

2019 and we still have clowns using the "think of the poor sexual assaulter's life"

Click to shrink...

Lol if AB is found guilty, you'll probably think to yourself "hah, that idiot on ERA defended a sexual assaulter!". Completely lost in the discussion or just trolling. smh

 

[Servbot24]

Because in many cases, it IS the same. Look at how GOPers deal with the Trump or Kav accusations. If it can't be proven in the court of law, then it's assumed the women are liars and the men are innocent.

Click to shrink...

Ok but people in this thread are't assuming he's innocent. They're just waiting to pass judgement.

 

[Spinluck]

And yet another ERA thread where nuance is completely tossed into the fire.

You can believe women and hold a firm stance of "let's wait and be glad an investigation is under way." I think he should be cut to save the headaches. But it's clear some people are more interested in hopping on a soapbox to condemn others. When in actuality this does little to nothing to help the victims. Sexual assault is hard as fuck to prove but this doesn't mean we should lock someone and toss away the keys in the face of every accusation. I don't think this is lost on some of the posters who want more information. And come on this is nothing like Trump and Kav. Wow, people went there.

 

[cecilpaladin32]

Antonio Brown went from being someone I considered as being a great receiver to someone whose name I just never want to see any headlines ever again. I thought the tantrum he threw to get out of Oakland was bad enough, and then this accusation happens. Ugh.

 

[Deleted member 8561]

There was a point I heard earlier today.

NFL is probably going to be hesitant in using exempt status on a player for a civil case, when that sets precedent that any type of major civil suit can be grounds for suspension.

What the NFL does in the next few days will be pretty telling, especially in terms of NFLPA.

 

[Spinluck]

Antonio Brown went from being someone I considered as being a great receiver to someone whose name I just never want to see any headlines ever again. I thought the tantrum he threw to get out of Oakland was bad enough, and then this accusation happens. Ugh.

Click to shrink...

Very much tired of it and him.

 

[Tawpgun]

There was a point I heard earlier today.

NFL is probably going to be hesitant in using exempt status on a player for a civil case, when that sets precedent that any type of major civil suit can be grounds for suspension.

What the NFL does in the next few days will be pretty telling, especially in terms of NFLPA.

Click to shrink...

I was reading the commissioner doesn't want to overextend because the CBA is coming up. Hence why nothing happens to Tyreek Hill

 

[bye]

How many people in this thread have called her a liar?

I'll wait for you to put together the clearly long list that caused you to make your usual passive aggressive drive-by.

Click to shrink...

Hop off my mentions and read the post directly above mine. "Waiting for the courts" for a rape case over a year ago is hardly different than calling someone a liar.

 

[ZeoVGM]

Hop off my mentions and read the post directly above mine. "Waiting for the courts" for a rape case over a year ago is no hardly different than calling someone a liar.

Click to shrink...

It's factually different actually. You're wrong.

Though I think it's a statement that can be ignorant and misguided.

But I'm not seeing what you're talking about in the "post directly above mine."

 

[Coyote Starrk]

There was a point I heard earlier today.

NFL is probably going to be hesitant in using exempt status on a player for a civil case, when that sets precedent that any type of major civil suit can be grounds for suspension.

What the NFL does in the next few days will be pretty telling, especially in terms of NFLPA.

Click to shrink...

It's not just any civil case. It's a civil case involving sexual assault which is the #2 most severe PR problem that the NFL has at the moment behind domestic abuse. So I sincerely doubt they are gonna be taking this lightly. And they shouldn't.


As I said before the bare MINIMUM the NFL should be doing is putting him on the commissioners exempt list. For his own good and the good of the NFL as a brand.

 

[Sanjuro]

Hop off my mentions and read the post directly above mine. "Waiting for the courts" for a rape case over a year ago is hardly different than calling someone a liar.

Click to shrink...

Maybe you can do a better job than bringing down members of this thread, no? You shouldn't have to be a scumbag and belittle other people in the thread.

There is quite a bit to this story.

 

[Euphoria]

It's factually different actually. You're wrong.

Though I think it's a statement that can be ignorant and misguided.

But I'm not seeing what you're talking about in the "post directly above mine."

Click to shrink...

I believe he is referring to a post by Kitten Mittens. Post #601.

Yeah, smoking weed is against that league's rules. If they get caught, they get handed legitimate suspensions. Suspending a player, or a person in any job, over merely an allegation without doing any investigation whatsoever sets a dangerous precedent.

Click to shrink...

I read it as saying that smoking weed is against NFL policy and that if accused and proven it results in the player being punished for it.

Meaning if she has evidence like she claims to have and is willing to come in and present to the NFL then there will punishment if AB is found to have done what she alleges he did. He obviously isn't arguing that sexual assault isn't against NFL policy.


However serving that punishment before an investigation began would set a very bad precedent, and he's right that it will.

 

[Deleted member 8561]

It's not just any civil case. It's a civil case involving sexual assault which is the #2 most severe PR problem that the NFL has at the moment behind domestic abuse. So I sincerely doubt they are gonna be taking this lightly. And they shouldn't.


As I said before the bare MINIMUM the NFL should be doing is putting him on the commissioners exempt list. For his own good and the good of the NFL as a brand.

Click to shrink...

As mentioned above, Tyreek Hill had a criminal investigation and he wasn't landed on the exempt list.

Brown, from the NFL's perspective, has a single accuser who is filing a civil suit with no criminal case being filed.

If they wouldn't even touch Hill till the criminal investigation was complete, why would they preemptively suspend/exempt list Brown for a civil suit?

To me, the clear path to being suspended/commissioner expected is evidence of the situation that is public and undeniable (See Rice and Kareem Hunt) or a criminal case that is pretty much clear cut with no grey area.

 

[bye]

Maybe you can do a better job than bringing down members of this thread, no? You shouldn't have to be a scumbag and belittle other people in the thread.

There is quite a bit to this story.

Click to shrink...

Please. This user has a vendetta against me and is trying to pick at straws to have an excuse to call me out. Saying a rape accusation needs a full investigation in order to even be thought of as credible is clearly demonstrating we haven't learned anything in the past couple years. If me pointing that out makes me a scumbag then so be it.

 

[Sanjuro]

Please. This user has a vendetta against me and is trying to pick at straws to have an excuse to call me out. Saying a rape accusation needs a full investigation in order to even be thought of as credible is clearly demonstrating we haven't learned anything in the past couple years. If me pointing that out makes me a scumbag than so be it.

Click to shrink...

I don't give a fuck. ZeoVGM had been inconsistent with me when it comes to posting here. I still consider him a friend and a decent human beging when the argumentual smoke clears.

Also, yes. Some accusations should have some sort of investigation. Otherwise, you are no better than the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar argument. You're being lazy and possibly racist to follow a procedure.

 

[Kitten Mittens]

I believe he is referring to a post by Kitten Mittens. Post #601.




I read it as saying that smoking weed is against NFL policy and that if accused and proven it results in the player being punished for it.

Meaning if she has evidence like she claims to have and is willing to come in and present to the NFL then there will punishment if AB is found to have done what she alleges he did. He obviously isn't arguing that sexual assault isn't against NFL policy.


However serving that punishment before an investigation began would set a very bad precedent, and he's right that it will.

Click to shrink...

You indeed read it correctly.

 

[bye]

I don't give a fuck. ZeoVGM had been inconsistent with me when it comes to posting here. I still consider him a friend and a decent human beging when the argumentual smoke clears.

Also, yes. Some accusations should have some sort of investigation. Otherwise, you are no better than the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar argument. You're being lazy and possibly racist to follow a procedure.

Click to shrink...

Nah man. He derailed this by trying to call out my post history which has nothing to do with this thread. Of course I'm going to respond to hostility if he's just going to try and take a shot at me without even understanding what he's talking about. And now I'm racist? Good lord lmao

 

[Sanjuro]

Nah man. He derailed this by trying to call out my post history which has nothing to do with this thread. Of course I'm going to respond to hostility if he's just going to try and take a shot at me without even understanding what he's talking about. And now I'm racist? Good lord lmao

Click to shrink...

I didn't say you were racist.

If Antonio Brown was a white franchise quarterback, do you honestly believe this is going down the same route? No. It's because he had a problem with his feet and helmet.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

All of you can calm the fuck down. There are no rapists or rapist apologists here.

We can talk to each other and about said topics like we know that. It's okay to disagree and you can do so without being disagreeable and accusatory.

 

[bye]

I didn't say you were racist.

If Antonio Brown was a white franchise quarterback, do you honestly believe this is going down the same route? No. It's because he had a problem with his feet and helmet.

Click to shrink...

I know nothing about football and dont even know what the color of his skin was. I read the story in the OP. So please tell me how my reply makes me "possibly racist". I'd respond the same way about any woman making a credible rape accusation.

 

[Sanjuro]

I know nothing about football and dont even know what the color of his skin was. I read the story in the OP. So please tell me how my reply makes me "possibly racist". I'd respond the same way about any woman making a credible rape accusation.

Click to shrink...

Then maybe read up on the situation prior to making inflammatory posts.

 

[bye]

Then maybe read up on the situation prior to making inflammatory posts.

Click to shrink...

And you assuming I'm being possibly racist isn't an inflammatory accusation?

 

[Sanjuro]

And you assuming I'm being possibly racist isn't an inflammatory accusation?

Click to shrink...

I mean, it's very much a possibility if you have no concept of the situation and the people involved. Work on that.

 

[Coyote Starrk]

As mentioned above, Tyreek Hill had a criminal investigation and he wasn't landed on the exempt list.

Brown, from the NFL's perspective, has a single accuser who is filing a civil suit with no criminal case being filed.

If they wouldn't even touch Hill till the criminal investigation was complete, why would they preemptively suspend/exempt list Brown for a civil suit?

To me, the clear path to being suspended/commissioner expected is evidence of the situation that is public and undeniable (See Rice and Kareem Hunt) or a criminal case that is pretty much clear cut with no grey area.

Click to shrink...

The season hadn't even started yet. Also Hill was not allowed back at the Chiefs facility until it was all over. If that audio tape situation had occurred in the middle of the season he would have 100% ended up on the exempt list just like Kareem Hunt did when the video tape can out. Also Tyreek Hill is a bad example because that disgusting piece of shit shouldn't even be in the league. The NFL has a long history of letting shit people play though.


But this situation? In the current #MeToo social climate? No way. You can't have an alleged rapist strutting around on national TV just days after the accusations come out. Especially one that is notorious for not being able to keep his mouth shut or keep himself under control. He could go out there Sunday and make this situation MUCH worse for himself and the league. The Patriots and the NFL would irresponsible fools to let him step one foot on that field or speak to reporters.

 

[Deleted member 8561]

The season hadn't even started yet. Also Hill was not allowed back at the Chiefs facility until it was all over. If that audio tape situation had occurred in the middle of the season he would have 100% ended up on the exempt list just like Kareem Hunt did when the video tape can out. Also Tyreek Hill is a bad example because that disgusting piece of shit shouldn't even be in the league. The NFL has a long history of letting shit people play though.


But this situation? In the current #MeToo social climate? No way. You can't have an alleged rapist strutting around on national TV just days after the accusations come out. Especially one that is notorious for not being able to keep his mouth shut or keep himself under control. He could go out there Sunday and make this situation MUCH worse for himself and the league. The Patriots and the NFL would irresponsible fools to let him step one foot on that field or speak to reporters.

Click to shrink...

Patriots are clearly letting the league decide what to do, and honestly if nothing is done by Thursday then the league isn't going to touch this until the civil suit is settled or very damning evidence comes out and or more accusers come forward.

 

[Coyote Starrk]

Patriots are clearly letting the league decide what to do, and honestly if nothing is done by Thursday then the league isn't going to touch this until the civil suit is settled or very damning evidence comes out and or more accusers come forward.

Click to shrink...

If that happens it's just further proof that the Patriots don't give a shit and that the NFL is a horrible organization.

 

[Fierro]

If that happens it's just further proof that the Patriots don't give a shit and that the NFL is a horrible organization.

Click to shrink...

You don't need further proof of what is already evident.

I do disagree that Antonio needs to be on the exempt list. It sets a terrible precedent.

 

[Coyote Starrk]

You don't need further proof of what is already evident.

I do disagree that Antonio needs to be on the exempt list. It sets a terrible precedent.

Click to shrink...

An alleged rapist going on a list where he still gets paid millions of dollars while he sits at home until the league decides to let him play again?


Yeah. What a terrible precedent. Society will never recover.

 

[Deleted member 8561]

If that happens it's just further proof that the Patriots don't give a shit and that the NFL is a horrible organization.

Click to shrink...

No team gives a shit. Or mainly, Bill has always been about trying to get the best players for the right price and has almost never really given a fuck about issues outside of football. During Bill's tenure it's been ownership that has put the foot down on people not getting signed or drafted due to issues like this.

Hunt had video of him kicking a women on the ground. Any team would cut him (and some would then try to sign him as the Browns did). Plausible deniability is the name of the game with the NFL and any type of situations like this, and right now AB has plausible deniability with the simple fact it's a single accuser and a civil suit.

An alleged rapist going on a list where he still gets paid millions of dollars while he sits at home until the league decides to let him play again?


Yeah. What a terrible precedent. Society will never recover.

Click to shrink...

This isn't about society. The NFLPA would flip their shit if the precedent for suspension is now any time someone is involved in a civil suit with unproven allegations the accused gets tossed into the exempt list.

The next CBA is already likely going to cause a lockout and possible missed season at the rate things are going. Things like this are very sensitive to the issue of the next CBA.

 

[Kitten Mittens]

Patriots are clearly letting the league decide what to do, and honestly if nothing is done by Thursday then the league isn't going to touch this until the civil suit is settled or very damning evidence comes out and or more accusers come forward.

Click to shrink...

Both Antonio and his trainer have agreed to talk directly to league investigators, so I don't think the NFL will wait for the civil suit to play out if it looks to them like he's guilty before they put him on the exempt list. I do think if this was a criminal case, the NFL would have moved a lot quicker. Also if more accusers come forward with similar stories, he's toast. As it stands, I don't think the NFL will, or should, act until next week when they're presented with both sides evidence.