Baltimore,We – April 23, 2025
A Baltimore Ravens icon and media titan is embroiled in a seismic legal battle, facing a $50 million lawsuit alleging sexual assault, battery, and emotional distress. The suit, filed in Nevada on April 20, 2025, by a woman using the pseudonym Jane Doe, has sent shockwaves through the NFL and entertainment worlds, threatening the legacy of one of football’s most decorated figures.
The plaintiff, represented by high-profile attorney Tony Buzbee, claims the former tight end engaged in a tumultuous two-year relationship starting in 2023, when she was 19 and he was 56. The suit alleges two severe sexual assaults in October 2024 and January 2025, including rape, and accuses him of recording intimate encounters without consent and sharing them. A chilling audio, obtained by TMZ, purportedly captures death threats from the defendant, intensifying the case’s gravity.
The accused, a three-time Super Bowl champion who starred for the Ravens in 2000-01, fired back swiftly. Through attorney Lanny J. Davis, he branded the lawsuit a “blatant extortion scheme.” In a fiery 69-second video on X, he addressed supporters, insisting the relationship was consensual and accusing Buzbee of targeting prominent Black men. “I won’t let lies tarnish my name,” he declared, revealing the plaintiff’s identity as Gabriella Zuniga and sharing text exchanges to bolster his defense.
The defendant’s storied career includes 8,001 receiving yards, a Ravens Super Bowl XXXV ring, and a 2011 Hall of Fame induction. Now a media powerhouse on ESPN First Take and Club Shay Shay, he faces a pivotal moment amid a $100 million podcast deal negotiation. A 2024 Instagram livestream blunder, where he accidentally broadcast an intimate moment, adds fuel to the controversy, though he clarified it involved a different individual.
Buzbee, known for litigating against Deshaun Watson, dismissed the extortion claims, citing the audio as damning evidence. The plaintiff seeks damages for trauma, supported by medical records detailing emotional distress.
For Ravens fans, the allegations sting, tarnishing a hero who helped define their 2000s dynasty. “It’s tough to reconcile the icon with these claims,” said analyst Kyle T. Mosley of HBCU Legends. The case’s fallout could ripple to Savannah State, where the star’s No. 2 jersey is retired.
As the legal saga unfolds, the NFL community awaits clarity. Will the legend clear his name, or will the lawsuit redefine his legacy? Drop your thoughts below—how will this impact his Ravens lore? #RavensFlock
