‘Intentional infliction of emotional distress’: star BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff accused of assault in bombshell civil suit

Content warning: This article describes intimate partner violence. Please take care while reading.

Jake Retzlaff, the celebrated starting quarterback for Brigham Young University (BYU), finds himself at the center of a shocking civil lawsuit filed on May 21, 2025, in Salt Lake County, Utah. 

The suit accuses Retzlaff of sexual assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, stemming from an alleged incident in November 2023 at his residence in Provo, Utah.

The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe A.G., claims she met Retzlaff through social media. During a visit to his home, she alleges that after initially consenting to some physical contact, she withdrew consent, but Retzlaff proceeded to assault her. 

The lawsuit alleging “intentional infliction of emotional distress” details that she asked him to stop. Allegedly, he ignored her protests and forcibly continued, including an alleged incident of strangulation, resulting in physical injuries.

Following the incident, Jane Doe underwent a forensic rape examination and documented her injuries. She initially reported the assault to Provo police without naming Retzlaff, alleging that authorities discouraged her from doing so, telling her “sexual assault victims never get justice.” 

The Provo Police Department has denied these claims, stating that their investigators and victim advocates followed protocols but were unable to proceed due to a lack of actionable information at the time.

Retzlaff says he’s “factually innocent”

According to Reuters, Retzlaff, through his attorney Mark Baute—known for defending NBA player Derrick Rose in a 2016 federal sexual assault case—has declared himself “factually innocent.” Baute emphasized their intent to prove Retzlaff’s innocence in court and criticized the media for trying cases outside the judicial system.

BYU has acknowledged awareness of the lawsuit and stated that it will follow all processes and guidelines mandated by Title IX. Due to federal and university privacy laws, the university declined to provide additional comments .

Who is Jake Retzlaff?

Born on March 28, 2003, in Corona, California, Retzlaff is a prominent figure in college football. He began his collegiate career at Golden West College before transferring to Riverside City College, where he led the team to a 12-1 record in 2022, throwing for 4,596 yards and 44 touchdowns.

In 2023, Retzlaff transferred to BYU and became the starting quarterback in 2024. He led the Cougars to an impressive 11-2 season, including an Alamo Bowl victory over Colorado. Retzlaff threw for nearly 3,000 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, earning accolades such as Midseason Big 12 Quarterback of the Year and First Team All-Big 12.

Notably, Retzlaff is the first Jewish starting quarterback at BYU, a university affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has embraced this unique position, becoming a role model for young Jewish athletes and signing a historic NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deal with Manischewitz, marking the company’s first sports sponsorship.

Retzlaff’s future, both on and off the field, now hinges on the outcomes of this civil lawsuit and any potential subsequent investigations.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, or if you believe someone you know is being abused, contact The National Domestic Violence Hotline. The hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-SAFE or spoken with online via the hotline’s website. Mobile phone owners can also text “START” to the number 88788.