FOXBOROUGH, MASS. — Suddenly, not all is perfect in the land of the Patriots.
Trouble returned to a familiar target today with the revelation New England receiver Randy Moss has allegedly battered a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., woman and then refused to allow her to seek medical attention.
The allegations led to a temporary injunction against Moss, who is to appear in a Broward County court Jan. 28 — the Monday prior to Super Bowl XLII — regarding the injunction and allegations.
Moss said he has known the woman, Rachelle Washington, 35, for 11 years. He denied hitting her – although he later indicated “an accident” had occurred – and denied refusing her medical attention.
“I am not mad, I am not bitter,” Moss said in front of his locker today. “I am mad of the situation of extortion. Yes, I’m mad about that. But for something that was really an accident to occur, it happens.”
Moss would not elaborate on the accident but indicated Washington’s motive was financial.
“Over an accident, six figures,” Moss said. “I’ll leave it at that.”
The allegations come as the 17-0 Patriots are preparing for their AFC Championship Game meeting Sunday afternoon against the San Diego Chargers at Gillette Stadium.
This isn’t the first time Moss has found himself in legal trouble. In his senior year in high school, he was involved in a brawl that to a battery conviction and a 30-day jail sentence. That incident caused Notre Dame to revoke his scholarship.
He then went to Florida State, but was booted after he tested positive for marijuana while serving his jail sentence. Moss later went to Marshall and became a first-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings, where he played for six seasons.
Problems with the law and questions of character continued to follow him until he was traded from Oakland to the New England Patriots last April. He had been largely considered a model citizen since joining the Patriots and set an NFL, single-season record with 23 touchdown catches.
Moss said the woman threatened him with the situation last Friday, the day before the Patriots beat Jacksonville in an AFC second-round playoff game. Following that threat, Moss said he spoke to coach Bill Belichick about the incident. Moss had a season-low one catch in that game.
“I’m very disappointed in the timing,” Moss said. “I’m disappointed first in myself for being in this situation but knowing someone 11 years, it’s hard to avoid that because I wouldn’t expect someone like that to be like that.
“I can’t really be happy because this is something negative or a black cloud hanging over my head.”
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
