Former NFL Defensive Lineman Dana Stubblefield Denies Raping Disabled Woman

Former San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Dana Stubblefield, who was charged with raping a developmentally disabled woman, denied the claims Tuesday, stating the episode was a a consensual encounter with a mentally competent woman who was asking for money and subsequently a job.

Dana Stubblefield Denies Raping Disabled Woman

Stubblefield, 45, has been accused of sexually assaulting the woman in his home in Morgan Hill, California, south of San Jose. The woman, who was 31 at the time, traveled to Stubblefield’s home on April 9, 2015 to interview for a job babysitting his children. According to investigators, she was only there for 20 minutes, but later returned after Stubblefield texted her saying he wanted to pay for her time.

Investigators then claimed Stubblefield gave her $80 and let her go. The woman immediately went to the Morgan Hill Police Department and reported the rape, prosecutors stated.

The report said DNA evidence matched that of Stubblefield.

Stubblefield briefly discussed the accusations at a news conference in San Jose on Tuesday, during which he said he was “completely innocent” and added that he has financially supported the Special Olympics.

“That is why these allegations hurt me so badly,” Stubblefield said in a prepared statement. “I will defend myself with all my strength.”

He declined to answer any questions.

Stubblefield’s attorneys state the woman texted Stubblefield 18 times the day the two had sex and four more times in the following days. Attorney Kenneth Rosenfeld said the woman asked for money on 10 of those occasions. He also added that Stubblefield gave the woman a “small amount” of money to help her repair her car.

Rosenfeld, who called the accusations a “money grab,” said the woman has previously been charged with multiple crimes including assault, demonstrating that the district attorney believer her mentally competent enough to appear in court.

Police arrested Stubblefield in front of his children’s school Monday after he dropped them off. He was released from jail late Monday on $250,000 bail.

“We remain focused on the case. We will present evidence in a court of law, after which we expect Mr. Stubblefield will be held accountable for his crimes,” Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Tim McInerny said in a prepared statement.

Stubblefield was drafted by the 49ers as a first-round pick out of the University of Kansas in 1993. The three-time Pro Bowler also played for the Washington Redskins and the Oakland Raiders before retiring after the New England Patriots released him before the start of the 2004 season.

Stubblefield pleaded guilty in 2009 to lying to federal officials investigating a performance enhancing drugs ring catering to professional athletes. He was sentenced to probation after cooperating with investigators, and was also sentenced to 90 days in jail after pleading guilty to stealing his former girlfriend’s mail by submitting a fraudulent change of address for her to the U.S. Post Office.

PHOTO: SAN FRANCISCO – SEPTEMBER 15: Dana Stubblefield #94 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates on the field during the game against the Denver Broncos at Candlestick Park on September 15, 2002 in San Francisco, California. The Broncos won 24-14. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)