NFL teams
Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior Writer 6y

Rape case against Broncos DE Adam Gotsis dropped

NFL, Denver Broncos

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Fulton County District Attorney's Office in Georgia has dropped a rape case against Denver Broncos defensive end Adam Gotsis.

Gotsis was arrested on March 7, 2018, in Atlanta, accused of raping a woman in 2013 when he was a student at Georgia Tech. The case has since been under investigation.

"After careful and thorough investigation, The Fulton County District Attorney's Office has decided not to proceed with the case against Mr. Adam Gotsis," Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard Jr. said in a statement released Wednesday. "My office understands the sensitivity and significance of these investigations, but the evidence presented does not warrant any further action in this case.''

Gotsis, the Broncos' second-round pick in the 2016 draft, had surrendered to Fulton County authorities on March 7 and was released later that day after posting a $50,000 bond. Gotsis had not been formally charged and had attended the team's offseason program and training camp.

"I'm just relieved everything's been taken care of," Gotsis said. "I've got faith in the legal system, faith in the Lord and family and friends. Great support from everyone around me -- Broncos, family, friends. Just glad that it's over with and I can focus on football now."

"I mean, you don't really know what's happening; you've just got faith that things are going to work out,'' Gotsis added. "I'm just glad to be out here with the guys running around -- no place I'd rather be.''

Gotsis said he found out after team meetings when coach Vance Joseph informed him. Gotsis said it's been weighing on him.

"It's harder when you're alone and you're really not in the building,'' said Gotsis. "When you're in the building, it's so caught up in football and everything. It's more when you're lone and stuff and you're thinking about it. That's what you have friends and family for, to support you when you have no one else.''

Police had said the 6-foot-4, 287-pound Gotsis raped a 25-year-old woman on March 9, 2013. The woman reported on Feb. 1, 2018, that she had been raped.

At the time of Gotsis' arrest, the Broncos had released a statement that said, in part: "The Broncos take an accusation of this nature very seriously and will continue to closely monitor the legal proceedings. This issue was promptly reported to the NFL as soon as we learned of it.''

Earlier this year, Gotsis' attorney, Sara Becker, denied the allegations in a statement issued at the time of Gotsis' arrest: "While we were disappointed to learn of the turn the investigation was taking, we steadfastly maintain that the allegations are false. We will continue to advocate strongly for Adam's innocence."

Gotsis is a native of Melbourne, Australia, and came to the United States to play football at Georgia Tech. He played at the school from 2012 to 2015.

He is a projected starter in the Broncos' defense this season after he started 13 games last season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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