Matt Patricia met with the media on Thursday to answer questions about a sexual assault allegation that came to light this week, and the Detroit Lions coach is maintaining that he was never guilty of anything.
Patricia began his press conference by saying he is “here to defend my honor and clear my name,” and he told reporters he has spoken with the team about the 1996 incident.
#Lions coach Matt Patricia starts his press conference by thanking members of the team brass and said: “I’m here to defend my honor and clear my name.” “There were claims made about me that never happened."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 10, 2018
#Lions coach Matt Patricia said the incident is “traumatic” for him. “I was raised the right way.” … “I do not condone any of the type of behavior that has been alleged and I never have.” … “Thankfully, the truth is on my side.” “I was innocent then and I am innocent now."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 10, 2018
Matt Patricia says he spoke to the team today and told them the truth. He used it as a learning moment for them. “I am 100% the head coach of the Detroit Lions."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 10, 2018
Patricia: "Thankfully the truth is on my side." Said he lived "with the mental torture" of the allegations. "I was innocent then and I'm innocent now."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 10, 2018
As an article published by the Detroit News highlighted, Patricia and one of his Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute teammates and fraternity brothers, Greg Dietrich, were accused in 1996 of bursting into a room and taking turns sexually assaulting a woman they had met during a spring break trip to South Padre Island in Texas. The woman identified Patricia and Dietrich as the assailants. The two were arrested and later released on bond. They were charged with sexual assault and indicted by a grand jury, but they never stood trial. Records show the woman did not want to proceed with the case and stand trial.
The Lions say they were unaware of the case until after they hired Patricia, but they are standing by the first-year head coach. The NFL released a statement on Thursday saying they are looking into the new information.
