Marcellus Wiley, the former NFL defensive end and former ESPN analyst, is facing serious allegations of rape dating back to 1994 when both he and the victim were students at Columbia University.
The lawsuit, obtained by The New York Post, claims that the FS1 analyst, who also had a stint at ESPN, forcibly engaged in sexual activity with the victim in a freshman dorm despite her objections, thereby taking her virginity in the process. The lawsuit was filed in the New York Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Now 48 years old, Wiley is accused of causing severe trauma to the victim, to the extent that she attempted to take her own life. The lawsuit asserts, "[Wiley's] actions were intentionally designed to cause the plaintiff severe emotional distress or were taken with reckless disregard of the significant and/or substantial probability of causing plaintiff severe emotional distress."
The victim, an Ivy League professor, alleges that she was initially friends with the former defensive end and that he invited himself to her residence under the pretext of a dinner and music session. She maintains that she had clearly established boundaries, informing him of her virginity and her lack of interest in engaging in intimate activities.
Reportedly, Wiley responded by saying, "Ain't nobody tryna have sex with no virgin! Don't worry, I got you. Just coming to hang out while I eat. I don't even have condoms on me."
According to court documents, Wiley promptly removed her clothing and forcibly positioned her face-down on the mattress before sexually assaulting her. She recalled being unable to breathe and fearing for her life.
Though she managed to briefly escape, she was forcibly brought back and threatened by Wiley before he resumed the assault.
The victim claims to have confided in a friend following the traumatic incident and reported it to several university administrators. However, her efforts were in vain, as her claims were dismissed in an attempt to safeguard Wiley's college eligibility and future career in professional sports.
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