Antonio Brown has been accused of sexually assaulting his former trainer in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in the Southern District of Florida.
The lawsuit alleges that Brown assaulted the trainer, Britney Taylor, in three separate incidents, two of which occurred in June 2017. Taylor alleges in the suit she was "forcibly raped" by Brown in the other incident, which occurred in May 2018.
“As a rape victim of Antonio Brown, deciding to speak out has been an incredibly difficult decision,” Taylor said in a statement released by her lawyer to The New York Times. “I have found strength in my faith, my family, and from the accounts of other survivors of sexual assault.”
Brown's lawyer, Darren Heitner, denied the accusations in a statement released on Twitter.
STATEMENT REGARDING ANTONIO BROWN: https://t.co/yvEcRyilbt pic.twitter.com/0K9G8vJeG1
— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) September 11, 2019
"Antonio Brown has learned (Tuesday) that he has been named in a lawsuit filed in federal court in the Southern District of Florida," the statement read, in part. "Mr. Brown denies each and every allegation in the lawsuit. He will pursue all legal remedies to not only clear his name, but to also protect other professional athletes against false accusations."
Brown is planning to countersue, according to a report from ESPN, which cites an unidentified source.
Source: #Patriots WR Antonio Brown intends to countersue his accuser for civil extortion, at this time.
— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) September 11, 2019
The NFL has yet to comment on the situation, but the Patriots released a statement saying the league informed the team it will launch an investigation.
"We are aware of the civil lawsuit that was filed earlier today against Antonio Brown, as well as the response by Antonio's representatives," the Patriots said in a statement. "We take these allegations very seriously. Under no circumstance does this organization condone sexual violence or assault. The league has informed us that they will be investigating. We will have no further comment while that investigation takes place."
Brown signed with the Patriots earlier this week after being released by the Raiders following a tumultuous offseason.