A serious and troubling story has emerged out of Provo, where a Salt Lake County woman, identified as Jane Doe A.G. in a 3rd District Court filing, has filed a civil lawsuit against Brigham Young University quarterback Jake Retzlaff, accusing him of sexual assault. The allegations stem from an incident in November 2023 at Retzlaff’s home, and the details paint a distressing picture that’s sparked intense discussion among college football fans and beyond.
According to the lawsuit, Jane Doe AVisited Retzlaff’s Provo home with friends to play video games, a seemingly casual hangout. Things shifted when she and Retzlaff were alone watching a movie. She says they began kissing, but she made it clear she didn’t want to go further. Despite her objections, the situation escalated. Jane Doe A alleges Retzlaff groped her and ignored her attempts to pull away, leaving her feeling trapped and scared. She claims she told him she wanted to leave but felt unable to escape the situation.
The allegations take a darker turn from there. Jane Doe A says Retzlaff grew angry when she resisted, shouting at her and moving her body to perform a sexual act. Panicked, she stayed in bed with him until her phone charged, hoping to de-escalate. When she tried to leave after he fell asleep, she alleges Retzlaff woke up, pushed her back onto the bed, and forcibly kissed her. The lawsuit details further acts, including claims that Retzlaff choked her to the point she couldn’t breathe and raped her, causing so much pain she passed out. After waking, she left his home and later sought medical attention, where a rape kit was performed, and photos documented a cut on her lip and bruises on her neck and inner thighs.
As of now, Retzlaff faces no criminal charges; this is a civil lawsuit, meaning he’s not at risk of jail time based on these proceedings. His legal team has pushed back, with Retzlaff’s counsel telling ESPN 960, “I have met him, and he is a nice young man. He is also factually innocent, and we look forward to proving that innocence. Jake’s focus this year will be on football.” The case has stirred strong reactions, with some X posts urging caution, noting that accusations don’t equal guilt and that only Retzlaff and the accuser know the full truth. Others express outrage, with one post stating, “If this is true that Jake Retzlaff did in fact rape this victim… Not only should Jake be brought to justice but Brigham Young should forfeit every one of those games Jake played.” The sentiment is mixed, with some fans decrying the politicization of the allegations by rival fanbases.
On the field, Retzlaff has been a standout, leading BYU to an 11-2 record and an Alamo Bowl appearance in his first year as the Cougars’ starting quarterback in 2024. He’s one of the Big 12’s top signal-callers, known for his dual-threat ability. But this lawsuit casts a heavy shadow over his rising star, raising questions about how BYU and the program will navigate the situation. For now, the focus is on the legal process, with no criminal investigation confirmed, though reports suggest Provo police looked into the claims but faced challenges in pursuing them.
This is a developing story, and it’s a tough one to process. The allegations are serious, and the details are heartbreaking. As the case moves forward, it’ll be critical to watch how it unfolds in court while respecting the gravity of the claims and the need for due process. For Cougars fans, it’s a gut punch, but the bigger story here is about accountability and justice, whatever the outcome may be.
