Coach grilled for resurrecting player’s career despite shocking claims
Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid has defended the signing of Justin Tucker, insisting the team did their “homework” on the troubled star.
Tucker is one of the most accurate kickers to ever play the game, but his career was clouded last year after he was accused of sexual misconduct by six massage therapists in the Baltimore region.
Justin Tucker went unsigned last season. AP Photo/Kyusung Gong
The Super Bowl champion was accused of exposing his genitals and brushing women with his penis. He denied the allegations and never faced criminal charges.
The allegations were investigated by the NFL, who then hit Tucker with a 10-game ban for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
Tucker was then released by the Baltimore Ravens due to his declining form. A year on, Tucker is back training in the NFL, joining the Chiefs’ practice squad.
Reid was quizzed by reporters about Tucker’s signing, with some raising concerns about what message the deal sends to the club’s large fan base.
The three-time Super Bowl winning coach was quick to reply: “He’s done his suspension, taking care of that business there. I’ll leave it at that.”
Reid was then asked if the club’s ownership group had any say in the decision.
“We try to do our homework the best way we possibly can and talk to a lot of people, make sure things are OK,” he added.
“I’m not going to get into all that. To bring him here, I did some homework.
“He’s here and he’s on the practice squad, so we roll with it.”
Tucker will be available for immediate selection if need be, with Reid on the hunt for more competition for the kicking position this season. Harrison Butker, the current preferred starting kicker, has delivered a rocky run of performances so far, missing five of his 16 field goal attempts in his six appearances.
The Chiefs are scheduled to face the Denver Broncos on November 2 (AEDT).
