Civil Lawsuit Alleges Sexual Assault by BYU Quarterback Jake Retzlaff
Hey everyone, this is something serious and important that’s come to light recently, and I want to talk about it with the respect and gravity it deserves. A civil lawsuit has been filed against Jake Retzlaff, the starting quarterback for BYU, accusing him of sexually assaulting a woman in November 2023. The woman, who is being referred to in court documents as Jane Doe A.G., says the incident occurred at Retzlaff’s home in Provo after the two had been in contact over social media for about a month.
According to the lawsuit filed in Salt Lake County’s 3rd District Court, Jane Doe and a friend went to Retzlaff’s place to hang out. Her friend eventually left, and she stayed behind. That’s when things reportedly escalated. They were watching a movie, started kissing, but according to the suit, she made it clear she didn’t want anything more to happen. Despite this, she alleges that Retzlaff continued pushing boundaries—touching her, pressuring her—and that he became angry when she resisted.
What’s even more troubling is her claim that she was left feeling trapped and afraid. She says Retzlaff later bit her, choked her, and forced himself on her. After the incident, she went to a hospital and completed a rape kit exam. She also reported the assault to police, though initially didn’t disclose Retzlaff’s name—something she later did after another report surfaced involving a BYU football player.
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Retzlaff, through his attorney, denies the allegations. His legal team says he’s innocent and that they’ll prove it in court. They’ve made it clear they don’t want to litigate in the media, instead planning to let the judicial system run its course.
It’s worth noting that no criminal charges have been filed as of now. The university, BYU, has acknowledged the civil case and said they take such allegations seriously but declined further comment, citing privacy laws. Provo police also said they’re still reviewing the matter and would release a statement once that process is complete.
This story is drawing national attention not only because of who Jake Retzlaff is—a rising star at BYU and the first Jewish quarterback to start for a school owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—but because of the broader conversations around sexual assault, institutional responses, and the way victims are treated in the justice system. Jane Doe’s lawsuit also alleges that police discouraged her from coming forward, telling her that "sexual assault victims never get justice," which, if true, adds another deeply concerning layer.
It’s a developing story and one that should be followed closely. As always, it’s important to remember that allegations in a civil lawsuit are not criminal convictions. Everyone deserves a fair process, including both the accused and the accuser. But that doesn’t make these claims any less serious or worthy of attention.
We’ll see how this unfolds in the courts, but right now, it’s a moment that calls for empathy, accountability, and, most of all, listening to survivors.
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