Tag: Tucker

Apr 1, 2025; Palm Beach, FL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addresses the media at the NFL Annual League Meeting at The Breakers. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Roger Goodell discusses playoff re-seeding, Olympic flag football

Posted on | by Field Level Media

While the tabling of a vote to ban the “tush push” hogged the headlines Tuesday at the NFL annual meeting, commissioner Roger Goodell addressed other topics ranging from a proposal to change playoff seeding to flag football in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Goodell said discussions with franchises and the NFL Players Association about NFL participation in the Olympics are on the horizon.

He said he’s heard from several players enthusiastic about playing in the 2028 Games, when flag football will make its debut as an event.

“I think that’s something that we’ll continue discussions with not just the union, but also the clubs,” Goodell said. “I think both of those are things that will probably resolve sometime in the next 60 days.”

Goodell had also floated the idea of the NFL establishing a professional flag football league when speaking at the Super Bowl in February. There were no concrete updates Tuesday on the development of such a league, but the topic was tied back into the Olympics.

“I do think that the Olympics is a critical moment for us in the flag development on a global basis,” Goodell said. “Listen, the Olympics are the pinnacle of international sport, and for us to be able to participate in that, to have both men’s and women’s flag teams participating from around the world, is a significant moment for us.

“So there is a lot of lead-up to that in the qualifications and how that happens, so that is clearly inspiring some of the work.”

In the near term, one league rule change that didn’t pass but could gain traction was the Detroit Lions’ proposal to change playoff seeding. The Lions wanted wild-card teams to be seeded above division winners with inferior records.

Goodell called it a “very healthy proposal” and said he could see a world where division winners with sub-.500 records do not receive home-field advantage for the first round.

“There’s great data to show that we should really look at some form of this,” Goodell said.

Goodell also declined to discuss the league’s investigation into Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, who stands accused by 16 massage therapists of inappropriate sexual conduct.

“I haven’t gotten an update but I know the review is ongoing,” Goodell said. “We won’t be giving updates but when we have something, we’ll certainly share it with everyone.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 4, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker (9) arrives before the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Ravens coming to terms with ‘serious’ allegations facing Justin Tucker

Posted on | by Field Level Media

INDIANAPOLIS — When the Baltimore Banner reached out to the Ravens to discuss the allegations coming to light against kicker Justin Tucker, head coach John Harbaugh was in disbelief.

Not knowing the full context of the allegations still coming to light, Harbaugh said he didn’t know the breadth of the situation until he read it himself.

Tucker is accused of inappropriate behavior by 16 victims who were massage therapists at eight different high-end spas between 2012 and 2016.

“It’s not what you want to wake up to and read,” Harbaugh said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine before echoing general manager Eric DeCosta’s assessment of a “serious situation, concerning.”

“There’s too many stories like that that make you feel sad, less than great.”

DeCosta said the Ravens are allowing the NFL investigation into the incidents to play out.

“It’s a tough deal,” Harbaugh said. “That is what we’re trying to do is reconcile it.”

Harbaugh called Tucker about two weeks later on a Sunday morning to check on him and talk “more from a family perspective.”

He made it clear that the circumstances impact the team this week.

“We’re looking at kickers,” Harbaugh said. “You look at every position. We would’ve been looking at kickers anyway. Justin’s our kicker but nobody can go forever.”

Tucker’s representatives told The Banner to refer to the kicker’s lengthy social media post on Jan. 30 in which he vehemently denied all allegations. Tucker called the allegations “unequivocally false” in that post.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said earlier this month he was “surprised” when he got word of the alleged wrongdoing. He addressed the allegations against Tucker during his press conference ahead of Super Bowl LIX.

“They are obviously serious issues and he is taking that seriously as are we,” Goodell said at the time.

The Ravens said in their previous statement that they “take any allegations of this nature seriously and will continue to monitor the situation.”

Tucker, 35, moved to the Baltimore region in 2012 after the Ravens signed him as an undrafted free agent. In 13 seasons with the team, he is a five-time All-Pro selection, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and the NFL’s all-time leader in field goal percentage at 89.1.

The Banner began investigating a tip received Jan. 9 regarding the allegations involving Tucker.

–Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media

Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker (9) reacts to a missed field goal against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Ravens back PK Justin Tucker after missed FGs in two-point loss

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Justin Tucker remains the only option for the Baltimore Ravens at kicker, and head coach John Harbaugh emphasized on Monday he plans to keep it that way.

Tucker missed two field goals Sunday in Baltimore’s 18-16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a defeat that pushes the Steelers into full control of the AFC North.

Tucker made a 54-yard field goal after missing from 47 and 50 yards to fall from the top of the all-time NFL accuracy rankings.

“The best option right now is to get Justin back on point because he is fully capable of doing it,” Harbaugh said. “We certainly haven’t lost any confidence in Justin Tucker.”

Carolina Panthers kicker Eddy Pineiro moved ahead of Tucker by percentage points. Pineiro is the NFL’s most accurate kicker ever at 89.4 percent (101 of 113) with Tucker standing at 89.3 entering Week 12. In 460 career tries, Tucker has made 411 field goals in 460 attempts.

The six total missed FGs this season (in 22 attempts) exceed his total number of misses last season (five in 37 attempts). He already has tied for the second-most misses in a season during his 13-year career.

“He’s definitely our best option and he’s going to make a lot of kicks,” Harbaugh said. “I really believe that going forward. But it’s up to him and the guys he works with every day, to make those balls go straight. He’s going to get it figured out. We have coaches. We have technique, we look at the tape, he’s practicing well. He’s got to kick it straight.”

It was only the sixth time in his career that Tucker missed two field goals in the same game. He has five missed field goals in the Ravens’ four losses.

Tucker’s field-goal percentage of 72.7 has never been lower 11 games into the regular season.

Harbaugh said there is no point or purpose in trying to find competition to push Tucker this week or going forward.

“You’d have to find that competition first if you’re going to be blunt about it,” the coach said. “Where is that competition?”

–Field Level Media

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker watches a play against Central Michigan from the sideline during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.

Michigan St. probe finds Mel Tucker sexually harassed activist

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Michigan State concluded its investigation into the interactions of Mel Tucker with a female contractor, ruling that the former football coach violated the school’s sexual misconduct policy.

Brenda Tracy, a rape survivor and sexual assault prevention activist who was hired by Tucker to speak with his players and then alleged that the coach harassed her, gave a copy of the university’s 73-page report to USA Today on Wednesday.

The determination from the school’s investigation was that Tucker sexually harassed Tracy prior to a video call in which he masturbated. Tracy said the sexual attention was unwanted, but Tucker maintains that the two were involved in a romantic relationship.

The final verdict from the report, according to USA Today: “In sum, considering all available evidence, the Resolution Officer finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that Respondent subjected Claimant to unwelcome conduct based on sex when he FaceTime video called Claimant without a shirt on; when he attempted to meet up with Claimant alone following the Spring Game; and when he non-consensually masturbated and used graphic, sexual language on a phone call with Claimant.”

Tracy told USA Today regarding the school’s findings, “My first reaction was tears of relief.” She added that the reporting procedures were “a nightmare to navigate.”

Michigan State suspended Tucker on Sept. 10 after news of the investigation into sexual harassment was leaked. He was given notice on Sept. 18 that he would be fired with cause, then had his contract terminated on Sept. 27 for leaving the university “subject to public disrespect and ridicule,” according to the school.

Tucker subsequently announced that he was filing a wrongful termination lawsuit against the university.

Tucker can appeal the Wednesday ruling within the next 10 days.

–Field Level Media

Dec 19, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) before the game against the Green Bay Packers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens sign K Justin Tucker to 4-year extension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Baltimore Ravens signed kicker Justin Tucker to a four-year extension through the 2027 season on Monday.

The total value of the deal is $24 million, including an $11.5 million signing bonus and $17.5 million guaranteed, multiple outlets reported.

Tucker, 32, once again becomes the NFL’s highest-paid kicker at $6 million per season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed Chris Boswell for $5 million per season last week, briefly tying Tucker for that honor.

Heading into his 11th season with the Ravens in 2022, Tucker is the most accurate field-goal kicker in NFL history with a career conversion rate of 91.1 percent.

Last season, he broke the NFL record with a 66-yard field goal as time expired to beat the Detroit Lions 19-17 in Week 3.

Tucker has converted 326 of 358 FG attempts and 382 of 386 extra-point tries (99.0 percent) in 161 games since making his debut in 2012. He is a five-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection.

–Field Level Media

Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker celebrates as he exits the field, after his record 66-yard field goal lifted the Ravens past the Detroit Lions, 19-17, at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021.

Ravens’ Justin Tucker finds extra length for winning 66-yard FG

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Justin Tucker was short from 65 yards out in both directions during his pregame kicking routine on Sunday.

But the Baltimore Ravens kicker was just long enough as time expired in the game as he kicked an NFL record 66-yard field to give the Ravens a 19-17 victory over the host Detroit Lions.

Tucker’s field goal barely made it. The kick hit off the crossbar and bounced high before falling through.

“I guess I found something to help that ball go as far as it needed to go,” Tucker said afterward.

Tucker surpassed the 64-yard field goal Matt Prater made in 2013 when he kicked for the Denver Broncos. Prater’s kick came against the Tennessee Titans.

Tucker’s previous long was 61 yards. Coincidentally, that also happened against the Lions in Detroit. On that occasion, it came with 38 seconds left to give the Ravens an 18-16 win on Monday Night Football.

So naturally, Ravens coach John Harbaugh figured a 66-yard boot was possible

“When it went off his foot, I thought it had a chance,” Harbaugh said. “Justin Tucker, he’s the best kicker in NFL history.”

Tucker, a four-time Pro Bowler, trotted out for the kick fully aware it would be a challenge.

“Whenever we’re fortunate enough to have a game-winning field goal opportunity, especially a walk-off, I get more nervous after the fact thinking about what if that didn’t go the way we wanted it to go,” Tucker said. “I kicked it, tried to get a good picture. As soon as it left my foot, I knew it was going to have a chance but I was short from 65 in pregame both ways. For whatever reason, I couldn’t get the ball to just go.

“Thankfully, we found an extra yard-and-a-half that I didn’t have (about four) hours earlier.”

The Lions feel Tucker should have never had an opportunity to attempt the field goal.

On the preceding play, television replays show that the play clock reached zero approximately two seconds before Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson received the snap and threw an incomplete pass.

But no delay of game penalty was called. If there had been one, any field goal attempt would have been 71 yards.

Referee Scott Novak said in a pool report after the game that he hadn’t reviewed the play and said that back judge Terrence Miles oversaw the play correctly.

“As far as our mechanics, the back judge is looking at the play clock and if it were to hit zero, he sees the zero, and he then looks to see if the ball is being snapped,” Novak said. “If the ball is being snapped, we will let the play go. If it’s not moving, it’s delay of game.”

That description didn’t impress Lions coach Dan Campbell after his team fell to 0-3.

“There’s nothing I can say to that, because it’s the same thing,” Campbell said. “Tomorrow you’ll get an apology and it doesn’t mean anything. That’s life and that’s the hand we were dealt.”

–Field Level Media