BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff, a rising fifth-year senior, has broken his silence after being accused of rape in a civil lawsuit, filed by a Salt Lake City woman.
In a Friday filing through the Third Judicial District Court in Utah, Retzlaff’s attorney denied all allegations on behalf of his client.
“Mr. Retzlaff specifically and categorically denies each and every and all allegations that he bit, raped or strangled [the woman], which are ridiculous and bizarre allegations, all of which are false and untrue,” the lawyer wrote, via ESPN.
The response claims that Retzlaff and “Jane Doe A.G.” had consensual sex at the quarterback’s apartment in November 2023 and maintained a playful and flirtatious texting relationship through February 2024.
“Mr. Retzlaff and (the accuser) had a pleasant and entirely consensual evening together, playing video games, and a normal evening of consensual sexual interaction that was uneventful but pleasant, with the plaintiff sleeping over and leaving the next morning to return to Salt Lake City,” the lawyer wrote.
The lawsuit, which was filed in May, claims the woman rejected Retzlaff’s advances after some kissing, telling him to “wait” and “stop,” but alleges that he persisted and became aggressive. After she tried to get off his bed, the lawsuit claims Retzlaff put his hands around her throat and sexually assaulted her.
“It hurt so bad and caused so much pain that Jane Doe A.G. passed out,” the lawsuit states. “Jane Doe A.G. remembers tears rolling down her face as she fought to breathe.”
Several days after the incident, the woman visited a local hospital and had a rape kit performed. She was put in touch with Provo police, but did not initially identify Retzlaff as her alleged assailant.
When contacted for comment, BYU referred to its original statement.
“The university takes any allegation very seriously, following all processes and guidelines mandated by Title IX. Due to federal and university privacy laws and practices for students, the university will not be able to provide additional comment,” the school wrote in its comment.
Retzlaff’s response to the lawsuit also claims that Jane Doe A.G. slept with several Utah players and that her suit is merely an effort to “extort money from him.”
Even if the lawsuit is settled and it’s determined that the two had consensual sex, it would be a violation of BYU’s code of honor, potentially leading to the suspension or dismissal of Retzlaff.
