Colts LB Okereke denies sexual assault accusation

Indianapolis Colts rookie linebacker Bobby Okereke told reporters Saturday that the sexual assault accusation made against him while he was at Stanford in 2015 was false.

"Those were untrue allegations," said Okereke, who was meeting the media for the first time since news of the allegations became public in June. "I fully complied with the school investigation and was found not responsible. I informed the team about it during the pre-draft process."

General manager Chris Ballard said in June that Okereke told the Colts about the incident at the Senior Bowl in January. Ballard added that the team studied documents from the Title IX case and were comfortable with selecting Okereke, whom the Colts took in the third round (89th overall).

"When we looked at it and talked about it and talking to the young man, an incident from four years ago, no discipline by the university and he was never charged with a crime," Ballard told reporters at the time. "And then you look at his track record from that point to now: Team captain. Lott Trophy quarterfinalist. He graduated with a degree in management and engineering. He's working on his master's.

"From 2015 to 2019, from everything we gathered and high recommendations that we got, it felt appropriate to take him."

A New York Times story in December 2016 reported that an unnamed Stanford football player wasn't disciplined by the school or football program after a disciplinary board of five panelists didn't return the needed 4-1 vote to say a sexual assault had occurred. Ballard said Okereke told him he was the unnamed player.

The complainant did not file formal charges because she didn't want a full police investigation, the Times reported.

Okereke, who turns 23 on Monday, was a team captain for the Cardinal and played in 51 games, making 240 career tackles. He said his full focus is on the Colts and training camp as he enters his rookie season.

"Right now, I'm just focused on making this team," Okereke said. "Helping this team out like I can and moving forward."

--Field Level Media