© Jim Rassol/Imagn
In 2022, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh answered a question about Deshaun Watson by expressing his appreciation for Baltimore’s “zero-tolerance policy” regarding sexual assault and partner violence. Now those comments are coming under scrutiny after the Ravens used their second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to select Marshall edge rusher Mike Green.
“I respect what Steve Bisciotti and Dick Cass created here almost 10 years ago,” Harbaugh said at the time. “Basically, what we decided [was] that we’re kind of zero tolerance. We’ve stayed away from that particular situation. I’m glad we have that policy.”
Apparently, that policy does not apply to Green, who was a projected first-round pick by many but fell to the second round due to not one, but two sexual assault allegations against him. The first allegation came when Green was in high school, while the second came from an “anonymous report” at Virginia. Green was suspended by Virginia before transferring to Marshall ahead of the 2023 season.
“There’s accusations out there,” Green told reporters at the combine. “I’ve never been questioned. I’ve never been asked. You know what I’m saying? Like, nobody ever asked me a question about what happened before I departed from Virginia. It was just accusations that caused me to leave from there.”
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta claims his team did its homework on Green.
“We think he’s a talented player,” he said. “We understand the severity of what these allegations were, of course, but doing our due diligence, we are comfortable with Mike. … I think the best is yet to come with him, and I’m glad we got him.”
But that explanation didn’t sit well with NFL fans, who quickly pointed to Harbaugh’s earlier comments.
The Ravens sticking to their zero tolerance* approach to domestic and sexual violence.
*so long as video footage is leaked of the incident pic.twitter.com/bDMxMaZfnb
— John Byrne (@Byronchenko) April 26, 2025
The Ravens developed a zero tolerance policy for violence against some of any kind after the Ray Rice situation and have steered clear of any prospect with even allegations, for over a decade, before now. It’s also believed that Justin Tucker will be released June 1st
— Sega Genesis (@SegaGen75720321) April 26, 2025
Happy Harbaugh is following the ravens “zero tolerance policy” like he previously said! 👍🏼
— bamsrick (@bamsrick) April 26, 2025
Right now, the accusations against Green are just that, accusations. But given the outsanding allegations against star kicker Justin Tucker (who is expected to be released on July 1), Harbaugh’s zero-tolerance claims don’t hold up to scrutiny very well.