ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes raised concerns about the overly complimentary tone in the Ravens’ announcement regarding the release of veteran kicker Justin Tucker. Tucker has faced allegations of inappropriate behavior, including sexual misconduct, from 16 massage therapists in the Baltimore area.
Kimes questioned the necessity of this tone in a tweet, asking, “Did you need this tone?” regarding the Ravens’ statement made on Monday.
When some users criticized her comment, Kimes elaborated on her perspective. She tweeted, “Maybe don’t bend over backward to praise the incredible resilience of a man who has been accused by 16 women of sexual misconduct.”
In response to criticism, Kimes said, “Ah, do you want the death penalty?” highlighting the disparity between her stance and the reactions from some users.
The Ravens confirmed Tucker’s release on Monday, noting his impressive 13-season career with the team, during which he became one of the NFL’s greatest kickers. However, the statement did not address the allegations directly and praised Tucker, labeling the claims as “false.”
General manager Eric DeCosta had previously referred to the allegations as “serious and concerning,” with the team’s decisions guided by an ongoing NFL investigation.
DeCosta stated, “It can be very difficult to make decisions regarding football, and this is one example of that. Given the current roster, we made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker.” He continued to express gratitude for Tucker’s significant contributions to the team.
Kimes criticized the team’s decision to highlight Tucker’s achievements despite the serious allegations against him, including instances of exposing himself and inappropriate contact.
She tweeted, “There’s a vast difference between being inebriated and lauding a man accused of sexual misconduct by 16 women.” She also pointed out the inconsistencies in Tucker’s performance, noting his decline and 73.3% success rate last season, a stark contrast to his previous 82.5% or better.
When other analysts echoed her thoughts about the language used by the Ravens, Kimes agreed, suggesting the team may have been trying to handle a challenging situation delicately. She remarked on Twitter, “I don’t question the football decisions, but I think Greg (Rosenthal) is correct about the fawning language from EDC (DeCosta).”
Lastly, a user replied to Kimes, suggesting the team could have been more direct in their response and avoided attempting to “sell” a difficult narrative. Kimes responded, indicating that despite the challenges, Tucker had a highly productive career.
The Ravens recently selected Tyler Loop from Arizona in the sixth round of last month’s NFL Draft, likely as a successor to Tucker.
