Photo: Lynne Sladky/AP/Shutterstock
Antonio Brownmade his first touchdown for the New England Patriots on Sunday.
The wide receiver, 31, caught a 20-yard pass from quarterbackTom Bradythat gave the Patriots a 13-0 lead over the Miami Dolphins with 79 seconds left in the second quarter. Brown caught the pass, using his momentum to jump into the sidelines in celebration. It was his only touchdown of the day.
Prior to the game, the Patriots submitted their inactive player list, which did not include Brown, indicating that he would be making his debut for the team amid sexual assault allegations against him.
Taylor alleges that Brown sexually assaulted her on two separate occasions and raped her during a third, according toThe New York Times. She met Brown while they were both attending Central Michigan together. He later hired her as his personal trainer.
According to the civil lawsuit, Taylor alleges that Brown sexually assaulted her twice during training sessions in June 2017, theTimesreported. The first time, Brown allegedly exposed himself and kissed her without her permission. That same month, he allegedly masturbated behind her and ejaculated on her back.
Then, on May 20, 2018, Brown allegedly raped Taylor, forcing her onto a bed and pushing her face into a mattress.
In response to the lawsuit, Brown’s attorney, Darren Heitner,released a statementdenying “each and every allegation.”
“He will pursue all legal remedies to not only clear his name, but to also protect other professional athletes against false accusations,” Heitner said, and later added that “any sexual interaction” Taylor had “with Mr. Brown was entirely consensual.”
The National Football League is investigating the allegations and willreportedly meet with Tayloron Monday, and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said the team is taking the sexual assault allegations against Brown “very seriously,” according to theNFL Network.
The Patriots went on to win their game against the Dolphins on Sunday in a sweeping 43-0.
source: people.com
