Rhodes Scholar says he’s the victim of “intimidation and retaliation”
NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Bahamian former National Football League (NFL) player and Harvard neurosurgeon Myron Rolle said yesterday he is a victim of false accusations of sexual harassment perpetrated by American comedian and actress Amanda Seales, whom he claimed is seeking to retaliate and intimidate him after he turned down her advances to engage in a relationship.
Rolle, who issued a statement on his Instagram page, said he will not allow anyone to assassinate his character.
“A blogger/online personality, whom I have never met in person and have only interacted with once via phone, recently claimed that I verbally harassed her during a phone call exchange,” he said.
“She furthered these claims by stating that anonymous sources have come forward and added their account to her narrative.
“Let me make myself perfectly clear; these accusations are absolutely false and should be characterized as exactly what they are – acts of bullying, intimidation and retaliation.
“I have been raised to respect women and to also keep my personal affairs private, as that is the respectful thing to do.
“However, I will not sit idly by and allow someone to engage in intentional character assassination simply because I did not return their advances or wish to engage in a relationship as they may have wanted.
Rolle, a Florida State University Rhodes Scholar, also addressed the processes of sexual misconduct allegations, saying “accusations of sexual harassment should be taken seriously, but the same should be said for false accusation against someone and the impact those accusations can have in today’s digital world”.
He continued, “I thank you all for the support and for allowing me the opportunity to stand up for myself and against any actions of bullying, intimidation and retaliation.”
Seales, best known for her role as Tiffany Dubois on HBO’s television show, “Insecure”, spoke about an alleged experience of sexual harassment while on “The Breakfast Club” and her own podcast, “Small Doses”, without naming anyone.
She later named Rolle in her Instagram story, claiming the alleged incident, which she provided little details to, took place during phone calls and correspondence on the Internet where she said she was first approached.
She ended the post with, “If you are approached by Myron Rolle, you should just be mindful”.
Rolle said, “I understand that in today’s work the responsibility falls on the accused to prove themselves innocent, as opposed to one’s alleged accuser having to prove their claims before going public. Unfortunately, I have found myself victim to these circumstances.”
Rolle was selected by the Tennesse Titans in the 2010 NFL Draft.
In 2012, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and announced his retirement from the league in 2013.
He has maintained a presence in The Bahamas with youth programs, including the Play-4-Progress initiative.
The program has seen scores of children from across the country take part in the two-day camp, which centres around three principles: education, personal development and the fundamentals of American football.
Loading ...
