A civil lawsuit accusing BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff of rape has been dismissed, based on courtroom information.
The events collectively agreed to dismiss with prejudice, ending the case which was filed final month. Not one of the events have been instantly obtainable for remark.
Retzlaff now plans to switch from BYU as he faces a attainable seven-game suspension for violating the varsity’s honor code by admitting to premarital intercourse in the course of the authorized proceedings, sources instructed ESPN. He has begun informing workers and teammates of his intention to depart, sources stated.
Retzlaff had been understanding with the squad and taking part in summer season exercises and practices. The group is on break till July 7.
The BYU workers has been ramping up the preparation of the three backup quarterbacks — McCae Hillstead, Treyson Bourguet and Bear Bachmeier — in anticipation that Retzlaff won’t be obtainable.
The girl alleged Retzlaff raped, strangled and bit her in November 2023. In a response to that lawsuit filed Friday, a lawyer representing Retzlaff denied these allegations however stated Retzlaff had consensual intercourse with the lady.
The response indicated Retzlaff and the lady traded lighthearted textual content messages for months after the encounter and characterised the lawsuit as an extortion try primarily based on the concept that Retzlaff developed into an NFL prospect roughly a 12 months later.
The lawsuit described the encounter a lot in a different way.
Each the grievance and the response agree that Retzlaff and the lady linked by way of social media, which led to her visiting Retzlaff’s condo to play video video games on or round Nov. 22, 2023. The girl arrived with a pal, and mates and teammates of Retzlaff additionally have been current.
Later that night, the lady’s pal left, after which Retzlaff and the lady began watching a film and started to kiss, the lawsuit states. Whereas “Retzlaff started escalating the state of affairs,” the go well with says, “Jane Doe A.G. tried to de-escalate the state of affairs and tried to sluggish issues down, making an attempt to tug away, and saying ‘wait.’ She didn’t need to do something sexual with him.”
The lawsuit says the lady instructed Retzlaff “no” and “wait, cease,” however he continued to power himself on her. After she tried to stand up out of the mattress, the lawsuit alleges, in graphic element, that Retzlaff put his palms round her neck and proceeded to rape her.
Just a few days later, the lady visited a hospital, the place a rape equipment was carried out and footage of her accidents have been taken. The lawsuit says she was linked with Provo, Utah, police however didn’t initially share Retzlaff’s identify.
No felony costs have been filed towards Retzlaff.
After the lawsuit was filed, BYU issued a press release, saying: “The college takes any allegation very critically, following all processes and tips mandated by Title IX. On account of federal and college privateness legal guidelines and practices for college students, the college won’t be able to supply extra remark.”
Retzlaff shouldn’t be the primary high-profile BYU athlete who confronted a prolonged suspension for an honor code violation associated to premarital intercourse. In 2011, basketball participant Brandon Davies was dismissed from the group — which on the time was 27-2 and ranked No. 3 within the nation — and suspended from faculty. He was reinstated that fall. In 1999, operating again Reno Mahe was suspended from faculty and compelled to depart the soccer group. He transferred to a junior faculty and later reenrolled at BYU.
Retzlaff, who has graduated from BYU, is predicted to enter his identify within the switch portal within the coming days. He began 13 video games for the Cougars in 2024, his first 12 months because the starter, main the group to an 11-2 file. He handed for two,947 yards and 20 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.