Former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Barkevious Mingo was charged with indecency with a child-sexual contact last week and his team wasted no time getting him off their roster.
The lawyer for linebacker has now publicly denounced the Falcons for releasing the veteran.
“We are extremely disappointed in the Atlanta Falcons’ rush to judgment in terminating Barkevious Mingo’s contract before gathering all of the relevant facts and prior to my client having his day in court,” he said in a statement, via ESPN. “The accusation against Mr. Mingo is a lie. Barkevious knows it — so does his accuser.
“Mr. Mingo appreciates the law enforcement officers have a tough job to do, and he is fully committed to cooperating with the authorities to clear his name. As soon as Barkevious became aware of the arrest warrant, he immediately travelled to Texas to turn himself in and answer to the charge. Now, he is ready to prove his innocence.
“Mr. Mingo understands the seriousness of an accusation like this and the immediate negative impact it can have on a person’s reputation, even when there is zero evidence. But, he also knows that he will be fully vindicated when the truth comes to light. When that happens, the true motivation of the accuser will be clear and unambiguous.
Mingo allegedly pulled at the underwear of a teenage boy in a Texas hotel room in 2019, according to Sports Illustrated. He allegedly took a teenage family member and the alleged victim to an amusement park and go-cart track during the Fourth of July weekend. Mingo allegedly also brought the boys to a steakhouse and bought them clothes at a Nike store before returning to a hotel room where he was staying.
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From there, police say Mingo tugged at the victim’s underwear and became more aggressive.
“The victim advised that when this was occurring, he was scared and pretended to be asleep,” the warrant said. He then is alleged to have tried to have sex with the victim.
After playing for the Browns, Mingo also played for the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears.
Mingo won a championship with the Patriots at Super Bowl LI.
He had just signed with the Falcons earlier this offseason on a one-year, $1.25 million deal that came with a $175,000 signing bonus.
