Rape survivor accuses Michigan State Football Coach Mel Tucker of sexual harassment — Details

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Mel Tucker, and an advocate against sexual violence in sports, Brenda Tracy, who had previously joined forces to combat the culture of sexual violence, now find themselves embroiled in a scandal. Tucker, the head football coach at Michigan State University and one of the highest-paid coaches in the world of sports, stands accused by Tracy, a rape survivor who has dedicated her life to educating athletes about sexual violence, as reported by USA Today.

A Professional Relationship Unraveled

Their collaboration over eight months initially appeared promising, focusing on Tracy's advocacy work. Tucker extended invitations to Tracy, bringing her to campus on three occasions – twice to address his players and staff and once to honor her as an honorary captain at the team's spring football game.

However, their relationship took a disturbing turn during a phone call on April 28, 2022, as detailed in Tracy's complaint filed with the university's Title IX office in December, which is currently under investigation.

Explosive Allegations

According to Tracy's complaint, during the phone call, Tucker made sexual comments about her and engaged in sexual acts while she remained on the line. Tracy contends that this violation not only deeply affected her but also reopened the wounds of her rape by four men, including three Oregon State University football players and a high school recruit, 25 years ago. She expressed her profound disappointment, feeling as though Tucker had betrayed her trust.

Conflicting Accounts

In response to the allegations, Tucker admitted to masturbating during the call but characterized the encounter as consensual «phone sex» in his statements to the Title IX investigator. He expressed remorse for the situation and