Warning: This story contains details about alleged sexual abuse.
BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff emerged as a popular name in the world of college football. On the field, the Cougars standout helped propel the Cougars to heights only rarely reached in the program's history. He also represented a relative anomaly off the field, as Retzlaff is one of a handful of Jewish students enrolled at the school.
All that amounted to Retzlaff becoming a household name for college football enthusiasts.
On Wednesday, he drew headlines for an entirely different reason.
Retzlaff was accused of sexual assault and battery in a recent civil lawsuit filed by an unnamed woman from Utah, according to The Salt Lake City Tribune.
Here's what you need to know.
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Jake Retzlaff lawsuit, explained
A Salt Lake County woman, identified as Jane Doe A.G. in the lawsuit, alleges that Retzlaff assaulted her during a Nov. 2023 encounter, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. According to the lawsuit, Jane Doe A.G. and a friend went to Retzlaff's house on Nov. 22, 2023 to hang out. After the friend went home, the woman and Retzlaff began watching a movie. The two started kissing, after which the woman declared she “did not want to do anything more.”
Retzlaff began "escalating the situation," the lawsuit reads, allegedly touching her sexually and demanding she give him oral sex.
"As the situation continued to escalate," the lawsuit reads, "Jane Doe A.G. reacted in a way that made Retzlaff angry. He started to shout at her, and she reached for her phone to call someone, but her phone was dead."
According to the filing, Retzlaff fell asleep while the woman attempted to charge her phone to call a friend. He soon woke up and began forcing himself upon her once more, the lawsuit claims. Jane Doe A.G. alleged that she told Retzlaff multiple times to stop while he was grabbing a condom, but he wouldn't listen, continuing to sexually assault her, the lawsuit states.
Jane Doe A.G. went to the hospital a few days later and has a rape kit examination performed, per the lawsuit. She also claimed to have reported the incident to Provo police. The lawsuit claims that the woman initially opted against revealing Retzlaff's name to authorities out of fear that they would share that she reported him.
She eventually did tell Provo police Retzlaff's name, and an officer reportedly asked her if he was the same football player a previous complaint had been filed against. The lawsuit states that the officer then suggested the woman keep her experience to herself, saying “sexual assault victims never get justice.”
As of Wednesday, criminal charges haven't been filed against Retzlaff. Jane Doe A.G.'s lawsuit is a civil one. She's seeking punitive damages for battery, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Retzlaff, 22, spent seasons at community colleges Golden West and Riverside before transferring to BYU in 2023. He started 13 games in 2024, tallying 2,947 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions as the Cougars went 11-2 and fell just short of the College Football Playoff.
He came to prominence in his first year as a full-time starter for both of his on-field exploits and the fact that he's the first Jewish starting quarterback in program history. BYU, founded and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter-Day Saints, had just five students practicing Judaism in 2024.