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Ravens Insider: Ravens GM Eric DeCosta says team will ‘continue to assess’ investigation that was connected to Zay Flowers


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INDIANAPOLIS — Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said the organization continues to assess the situation surrounding Zay Flowers after the wide receiver was linked to a police investigation into an alleged domestic violence incident in Owings Mills last month.

Baltimore County police opened the criminal investigation in January and suspended it earlier this month without criminal charges, largely because of a lack of cooperation from those involved, including the alleged victim, according to documents the department released last week. The investigation, which is effectively closed, could be reopened if there’s any additional information.

“We’re aware of the situation,” DeCosta said Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine, speaking to the media for the first time since news of the investigation was first reported. “Obviously domestic violence is something that we’re deeply concerned about, and we will continue to assess the situation as it unfolds.”

Documents released by Baltimore County Police last week confirmed earlier reporting by The Baltimore Sun about the alleged victim’s report to police in Acton, Massachusetts, where she told officers there was a “violent domestic incident” on Jan. 16 in Owings Mills. The document also said that the “suspect’s brother also drew a firearm,” though she declined to name the suspect, other than to say he is an NFL player.

Identifying information in the report was redacted by Baltimore County Police, but it indicates Flowers declined through an attorney to be interviewed by police.

In the report, the alleged victim told police in Massachusetts that she was physically assaulted and left with “multiple bruises.” She said she was living with her boyfriend in a townhouse outside Baltimore when the incident became “physical and violent.” She also repeatedly inquired about the consequences of filing a police report and if criminal charges would be filed automatically.

According to the report, the alleged victim said “it was a really bad 10 minutes, but [she] hasn’t been scared since.”

It also noted that her father, who accompanied the alleged victim to talk to police, was “worried about the s— storm that is going to follow.” During the police interview, she received a phone call from someone she said was “his agent,” but she didn’t answer. She did not pursue the protective order that was offered by Acton Police.

The documents showed Baltimore County Police contacted the alleged victim Jan. 30 by phone about the report she’d made in Massachusetts, and she reportedly said there were “no further issues.” The alleged victim did not disclose any further details about the original incident.

Flowers, who was drafted by the Ravens 22nd overall in April, is represented by the agency Loyalty Above All. His representatives, Zac Hiller and Eric Dounn, have not responded to messages from The Sun seeking comment.

Ravens vs. Bengals
Baltimore Ravens' Zay Flowers catches the ball during warmups before a Thursday night football game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun
Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers catches a pass during warmups before a game against the Bengals last season. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff)

On Tuesday, DeCosta referred to the team’s statement earlier this month, which said, in part, that the organization takes these matters seriously.

An NFL spokesperson said last week that league officials “are monitoring all developments in the matter, which remains under review,” and that remained the case Tuesday.

Whether Flowers will face any discipline from the league remains to be seen. NFL players who do not face criminal charges still can be suspended without pay.

Flowers was the team’s leading receiver in both playoff games, catching four passes for 41 yards against the Houston Texans four days after the alleged incident took place and then finishing with five catches for 112 yards and a touchdown in the AFC championship against the Kansas City Chiefs eight days later.

The Ravens, who won an NFL-best 13 games last season, will begin their 2024 season in September.

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