BYU quarterback denies rape allegations in civil lawsuit response
In a previous lawsuit alleging he sexually assaulted a woman, lawyers for Brigham Young senior quarterback Jake Retzlaff denied those allegations in a response filed on Friday.
The response was filed in the Third Judicial District Court in Utah and says that Retzlaff and the woman, who is referred to as Jane Doe A.G., had consensual sex in November 2023 and continued to communicate through text messages into February 2024.
‘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,’ Retzlaff’s lawyer wrote in response to the lawsuit.
The woman is suing Retzlaff for alleged battery, assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress, seeking damages of at least $300,000. Retzlaff currently does not face any criminal charges.
In the lawsuit filed last month, Jane Doe A.G. says she and a friend went to Retzlaff’s apartment after connecting through social media a month prior. After playing video games, the woman’s friend left, and she stayed with Retzlaff to watch a movie. The two began to kiss but the woman ‘did not want to do anything more,’ the lawsuit said.
According to the response to the lawsuit, Retzlaff did not hear from the woman for more than a year, and his attorneys say that because Retzlaff is ‘now an NFL draft prospect,’ and the woman ‘believes … she can extort money from him.’
Retzlaff started all 13 games for BYU last season, throwing for 2,947 yards, with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as the Cougars finished 11-2 after an Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado. BYU opens its 2025 season Aug. 30 at home against Portland State.
