Bruce Allen speaks on Jerramy Stevens

General manager Bruce Allen just addressed the widespread criticism of the Bucs' decision to re-sign Jerramy Stevens in light of details of an alleged rape and other offenses published in a story earlier this year.

Among his statements was an admission that the Bucs, along with every team, was aware of the rape allegations long ago when Stevens was drafted out of Washington in 2000. Charges were later dropped, though Stevens reportedly settled a civil suit filed by the victim for $300,000.

Regarding the public outcry about a story that has dominated sports talk radio all week, Allen said, "I apprecicate our fans' feelings. But we do take into account everything we believe. These issues, obviously, as we said last year, were well documented in the past. We knew them in 2000. Every NFL team knew in 2000 before he entered the NFL."

Asked whether any of the eye-opening, graphic details contained in the Seattle Times article were new to him, Allen said, "There were some comments from the police detectives on their individual feelings. But obviously, if charges are brought in any case, there is some sense that a policeman or some type of investigator felt some wrongdoing was there. When the district attorney cleared him, I'm sure that's why Seattle ended up taking him in the first round.

"Before the draft, every team does their own investigation and the league does an extensive investigation. The charges were dismissed, but we knew about the accusation. You had the information, you had the district attorney's comment and the lead prosecutor and why he dismissed it."

We addressed this with Jerramy last season beforehand, as I'm sure the Seahawks did when he was on their team when that settlement was done, I think in 2004."

Comments

[syd finch]

Just interested SH, how many Buc players, if any were at the JS press conference.

[cw]

I still can't believe they brought this a-hole back. I hope he gets cut by the end of camp. As a father of two girls, it will be impossible for me to root for this guy to do well.

[Adam]

Good move by Bruce Allen on keeping Jerramy Stevens... after all, prosecutors, lawyers, and cops rarely make errors in judgement.

[Tony M.]

You know, we have allowed too much of this at this point. Seriously Bucs, stop it.

[John]

I sincerely hope Mr. Duemig et al keep this story alive. It is absolutely unacceptable and borderline unforgivable for the Bucs to employ this guy. I'm all for second chances, and I can forgive a guy who gets a DUI or writes a bad check, but I don;t believe in second chances for r*pists. To the Bucs: get rid of this guy NOW. The community demands it.

[Bill Beck]

I guess that OJ Simpson was innocent of the murder charges also.

[Jay]

Yes Bruce, every team does their own investigation before the draft, but that doesn't mean it was a good one.

[Matt]

You gotta love Allen. The DA didn't "clear" Stevens. He declined to prosecute because of insufficient evidence. With sexual assault cases, it's not at all unusual for there not to be enough evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. But whatever, as long as he helps the team win, right? Personally, I'm just sick of the Bucs bringing some POS onto the team because he might help the team win (although, I can't think of one that has actually worked out). It's embarrassing, and it makes it tough to root for the Bucs.

[Russ]

I can't beleive all of the holy-rollers in the Bay Area. Really folks, get over yourselves. I'm not a Stevens-supporter (you'll find very few of those out there to be sure) and there's no denying the report is beyond damning, but to consider a football team as a the community's moral compass/standard-bearer is foolish.

Why no outcry against guys like Ray Lewis (anyone remember a little stabbing in Atlanta 1/00) or the countless other who have committed crimes. Funny how the Cowboys of the 1990's and their "White House" rarely come up.

Like in all walks of life you have scumbags. Stevens may be one of them, maybe ...but not under the law and not since he's been in tampa.

[CDH]

Everybody shut up about this and let's play football! All I hear is "Bla Bla Bla...Jerramy Stevens...Bla Bla Bla" If you don't like it...go buy you a Steve Smith jersey pull for the Panthers!

[Sonny]

This kid is nothing more then a pile of garbage as a human being. He is not even an average TE.

It just shows you the double standard with the law and that is why I do not call 911. He is lucky that was not my daughter or he would be pushing up daisy's.

Gruden won a Super Bowl with Dungys team. Tampa has been nothing but a joke on the field ever since.

My entire family has put all our Tampa gear in the garbage and that is where it will stay. We are going to spend more time on the golf course and Tampa will never see another penny of our money.

My wish is that some 260 lb LBer knocks the punks head off this coming season.

[Drew]

Sonny,

Not cool! How would you like it if someone wished you were hit by a truck?

The world has enough A-holes, show a little respect for yourself and not act like one.

[Melissa]

Wanna make a statement for your daughters, sisters, mothers and friends? Don't renew your season tickets. Don't buy Bucs merchandise. They can't show their fans respect, they won't see the inside of our wallets.

[Wade]

Sonny,
If you threw all of your stuff away, and are no longer a fan, why are you reading these commentaries and posting to the web site about this team? Got nothing better to do?

[nick]

HEY SONNY,
Im so tired of people with the Gruden won superbowl with DUngy's team. The offense was 50% changed with new personel. Dungy could not score a TD in three years of playoffs with his team. And any way you look at it, Jon Gruden took a team to the superbowl. Either the Raiders, or Bucs, depending on how you look at it.

[Tom]

I am sorry to say Stevens really is a POS. I am so glad we (Seattle) got rid of him. He has been a thug law breaker all t he way back to his days at UW. Tim Ruskell decided to get rid of all our POS players and focus on personal conduct. It seems to have done us well with great chemistry in the locker room. That is also why Kenny Hamlin is a Cowboy. Don't think we will be seeing the bucs in the playoffs this year. Seattle all the way! Send Holmgren out on a winning note.

[rob220]

HEY SONNY,
Im so tired of people with the Gruden won superbowl with DUngy's team. The offense was 50% changed with new personel. Dungy could not score a TD in three years of playoffs with his team. And any way you look at it, Jon Gruden took a team to the superbowl. Either the Raiders, or Bucs, depending on how you look at it.
you are right his personnel in oakland made it but the better team in dungy,s team easily won. he beat a team he assembled with a better assembled dungy team.go colts

Posted by: nick | June 05, 2008 at 06:55 AM

[John Siggins]

All you have to know about the Stevens case is this:

He lacerated her anus.

nuff said.

This whole ordeal sickens me - I hope all of Tampa boo's this jerk when he is on the field.

[Mack "D"]

Anyone who supports a person that did that shows what kind of person you are. Yeah he was let off, but maybe he shouldn't of been. I wouldn't leave him alone with my daughter. Would you? Just cause he was let off don't mean he's innocent.

[sean youmans]

I guess you die hard fans didn't know this last year when we signed him. It took a moral upstanding reporter selling papers to give you the scoop a year later. If you dig in the garbage your gonna find trash. If you want to be indignant look at the contracts given to rookies that have never played a snap as a pro. Look at how some teams have no loyalty to players who put the team above themselves(John Lynch). I read a book once "That was then this is now". I may not agree with the owners and I may not like our head coach But I love my lovable losers The Tampa Bay Buccaneer's. I'm also a Hurricane's fan so Jeremy Stevens past doesn't even scratch the surface. Grow up and play Football!

[FireJerramyStevens.com]

Digging in the trash does not always bring out trash! I am 40 years old, I make $48K a year and I have never raped a drugged out 19 year old, I don't have ANY DUIs and I've never cracked someone jawbone. I did drive 100mph one time, but it was on a back road with no traffic or homes in the area. I do not do drugs and rarely drink alcohol.

I certainly do not come with baggage and I'd love to get creamed by a 250 lb. linebacker a few times for $700,000...or however much he is making this year.

It's just rediculous that someone like him gets the fame and fortune, while someone like me, who also graduated from college, is working hard every single day to make ends meet.

Respectfully,
Allen from Tampa