Lawsuit accusing BYU QB Jake Retzlaff of rape dismissed

A civil lawsuit accusing BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff of rape has been dismissed, in line with court docket information.

The events collectively agreed to dismiss with prejudice, ending the case which was filed final month. Not one of the events was instantly accessible for remark.

Retzlaff now plans to transfer from BYU as he faces a potential seven-game suspension for violating the varsity’s honor code by admitting to premarital intercourse throughout the authorized proceedings, sources advised ESPN. He has begun informing workers and teammates of his intention to depart, sources mentioned.

Retzlaff had been figuring out with the squad and collaborating in summer season exercises and practices. The staff 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 may not be accessible.

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 mentioned Retzlaff had consensual intercourse with the girl.

The response indicated Retzlaff and the girl traded lighthearted textual content messages for months after the encounter and characterised the lawsuit as an extortion try based mostly on the concept that Retzlaff developed into an NFL prospect roughly a 12 months later.

The lawsuit described the encounter a lot in another way.

Each the grievance and the response agree that Retzlaff and the girl linked by means of social media, which led to her visiting Retzlaff’s condominium to play video video games on or round Nov. 22, 2023. The girl arrived with a buddy, and buddies and teammates of Retzlaff additionally have been current.

Later that night, the girl’s buddy left, after which Retzlaff and the girl began watching a film and started to kiss, the lawsuit states. Whereas “Retzlaff started escalating the scenario,” the go well with says, “Jane Doe A.G. tried to de-escalate the scenario and tried to sluggish issues down, making an attempt to drag away, and saying ‘wait.’ She didn’t wish to do something sexual with him.”

The lawsuit says the girl advised Retzlaff “no” and “wait, cease,” however he continued to pressure himself on her. After she tried to rise up out of the mattress, the lawsuit alleges, in graphic element, that Retzlaff put his palms round her neck and proceeded to rape her.

A number of days later, the girl visited a hospital, the place a rape package was carried out and photos 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 prison prices have been filed towards Retzlaff.

After the lawsuit was filed, BYU issued an announcement, saying: “The college takes any allegation very significantly, following all processes and pointers mandated by Title IX. Attributable to federal and college privateness legal guidelines and practices for college students, the college will be unable to supply extra remark.”

Retzlaff just isn’t 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 staff — which on the time was 27-2 and ranked No. 3 within the nation — and suspended from college. He was reinstated that fall. In 1999, operating again Reno Mahe was suspended from college and compelled to depart the soccer staff. 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 staff to an 11-2 report. He handed for two,947 yards and 20 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.