Former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ray McDonald has decided to sue the woman that accused him of rape for defamation and intentionally interfering with his livelihood, according to a report from ESPN.
"I feel like what I am doing is the right thing because I know that I am not this bad person that people are making me out to be," McDonald told ESPN on Monday. "I've been fired from my job. I know some teams don't even want to talk to me because of this past accusation. All I am trying to do is clear my name and move on with my life."
McDonald was originally arrested in August on felony domestic violence charges stemming from an incident involving him and his accuser during McDonald's birthday party at his home.
The 49ers released McDonald, a former third-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, in December.
"We as an organization have notified (McDonald) and his agent that he will be terminated, released immediately," general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement released by the team. "While this organization has a strong belief in due process and has demonstrated that over time, Ray has demonstrated a pattern of poor decision-making that has led to multiple distractions for this organization and this football team that can no longer be tolerated."
While prosecutors have failed to announce that they will not be pursuing charges, McDonald's lawyer, Steve M. DeFilippis revealed to the San Jose Mercury News that he expects the announcement sometime in the near future. According to DeFilippis, surveillance video from McDonald's home exists which depicts the former defensive tackle and the woman in question having "clearly consensual" sexual intercourse.
The fact that prosecutors have not yet announced that no charges will be filed has hindered McDonald's ability to sign with a team, says DeFilippis.
"In the eyes of the NFL teams, the unresolved threat of charges being filed against him, even though factually unfounded, continues to present a roadblock to this remarkable athlete being able to move forward in his career," according to a release sent to the News by DeFilippis. "This lawsuit is intended to vindicate him ... and return his good name."
McDonald has been free to sign with any NFL team since his release on Dec. 17.
McDonald's lawsuit, per the News, claims that the woman is lying to cover up the fact that she and McDonald, whom she had just met, had sex "several times."
An amount of general and punitive damages is not specified but is above the $25,000 minimum set by the court to file suit.
