Lawsuit accusing outgoing BYU QB Jake Retzlaff of sexual assault dismissed by both parties
According to multiple reports, attorneys for Retzlaff and his accuser filed a joint motion Monday in Salt Lake City's 3rd District Court to dismiss the case 'with prejudice and upon the merits of the Plaintiff's complaint against the Defendant," meaning that the plaintiff cannot refile the lawsuit.
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News of the lawsuit's dismissal arrives a day after news broke that Retzlaff reportedly intends to transfer from BYU in the wake of a pending seven-game suspension by the school stemming from the lawsuit. The suspension is reportedly not because of the now-dismissed sexual assault allegation, but because Retzlaff contended in his response to the lawsuit that he engaged in consensual premarital sex.
BYU is run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The school's honor code instructs students to "live a chaste and virtuous life" and prohibits them from engaging in premarital sex. It applies to all students whether or not they are Mormon. Retzlaff is not Mormon.
The lawsuit and Retzlaff's response
In the lawsuit that was filed in May, a Salt Lake County woman referred to as Jane Doe A.G. accused Retzlaff of sexually assaulting her in his home in 2023. The lawsuit stated that she consented to kissing while in Retzlaff's room as the two watched a movie but "did not want to do anything more." Jane Doe A.G accused Retzlaff of forcibly raping her after she repeatedly told him "no" and to "stop."
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Per the lawsuit, Retzlaff's accuser reported the alleged sexual assault to police, underwent a rape kit and had pictures of her injuries taken. According to the lawsuit, she did not initially identify Retzlaff to police. Retzlaff does not face criminal charges.
Retzlaff denied that he assaulted his accuser in a legal response filed Friday. In the response filed by his attorney, Retzlaff stated that he had sex with his accuser as part of a 'normal evening of consensual sexual interaction.'
The filing stated that Retzlaff and his accuser exchanged text messages for months after the alleged assault and that his accuser intended to "extort money from him" now that he's an NFL prospect. The lawsuit sought damages of at least $300,000.
BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) throws against Oklahoma during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Honor code violation and transfer
Two days after his response asserting that he had consensual sex with his accuser, news broke of BYU's plan to suspend Retzlaff for the honor code violation. Regarding the lawsuit, BYU previously issued a statement when it was filed in May.
"The university takes any allegation very seriously, following all processes and guidelines mandated by Title IX. Due to federal and university privacy laws and practices for students, the university will not be able to provide additional comment."
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Retzlaff would not be the first BYU athlete to face a lengthy suspension for an honor code violation. Former running back Jamaal Williams missed the entire 2015 season when he was at BYU before returning to the team for his senior season in 2016. When asked by the Green Bay Packers in the pre-draft process why he missed that season, Williams said he told them "I had a girl in my room."
In 2011, basketball player Brandon Davies was dismissed from the team for an honor code violation. That team featuring Jimmer Fredette was ranked No. 3 in the nation at the time of Davies' dismissal.
Retzlaff is a graduate student and has one year of NCAA eligibility remaining. Per ESPN, he was working out with BYU with the intention of playing in the fall prior to news of his pending suspension. He has since informed his teammates and coaching staff of his intent to transfer and plans to put his name in the transfer portal in the coming days, according to the report.
Retzlaff initially transferred to BYU from Riverside City College in 2023. He was BYU's starting quarterback in 2024 after playing a backup role in his first season. He led the Cougars to an 11-2 season in 2024 that concluded with an Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado. Retzlaff completed 57.9% of his passes for 2,947 yards (226.7 yards per game) on 8 yards per attempt with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
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