FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Suddenly, not all is perfect in the land of the Patriots.
Trouble returned to a familiar target Wednesday with the revelation New England receiver Randy Moss 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 before Super Bowl XLII — regarding the injunction and allegations.
Moss said he has known the woman, Rachelle Washington, for 11 years. He denied hitting her — although he later indicated “an accident” had occurred — during a visit to Washington’s home in Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 6 and denied refusing her medical attention. The Patriots were in a first-round playoff bye when the incident allegedly occurred.
“I am not mad. I am not bitter,” Moss said in front of his locker Wednesday. “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.
The allegations came as the Patriots (17-0) were preparing for their AFC championship game 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, then two years with the Oakland Raiders.
Questions of character continued to follow him until he was traded from Oakland to the 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. After 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.
