Actor/former pro athlete Terry Crews files suit for sexual assault: ‘Anyone can be a victim’

Actor and former professional athlete Terry Crews has filed suit against an agent and his former talent agency for a sexual assault that allegedly occurred in 2016. In the suit, Crews claims that the defendants are guilty of, among other things, assault, battery, sexual battery, and sexual harassment.

Crews, who played in the NFL in the 1990s, is best known for his starring role on the Fox comedy “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” He is also known for using his physically intimidating appearance for comedic effect, as he did in a series of humorous Old Spice commercials.

The fact that someone like Crews, who is 6-3, 245 pounds, can be the victim of sexual assault might be surprising to some, but that’s one of the messages Crews has attempted to drive home since he first revealed the details of his assault weeks ago: Anyone can be a victim.

Crews’ attorney underscored this point in the legal complaint that initiated the lawsuit. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the complaint closes with the following admonition: “After all, if Crews, a 6'4", muscled, man, former professional athlete, with a long list of entertainment industry credits, can be the victim of sexual assault at the hands of a much more powerful individual in the entertainment industry, anyone can be a victim.”

What are Crews’ allegations?

Crews says that a man named Adam Venit, who was the head of the motion picture division at the William Morris Endeavor talent agency, aggressively grabbed Crews' genitals at a 2016 party hosted by fellow actor Adam Sandler. WME represented Crews at the time.

Crews alleges that Venit grabbed him, totally unprovoked, in full view of Crews' wife and many other witnesses, including Sandler. After news of film producer Harvey Weinstein’s alleged sexual harassment broke, Crews tweeted a series of tweets explaining his decision to come forward, and the reasons why he remained silent for over a year:

This whole thing with Harvey Weinstein is giving me PTSD. Why? Because this kind of thing happened to ME. (1/Cont.)

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017

My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates. (2/cont.)

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017

Jumping back I said What are you doing?! My wife saw everything n we looked at him like he was crazy. He just grinned like a jerk. (3/cont.)

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017

I was going to kick his ass right then— but I thought twice about how the whole thing would appear. (4/cont.)

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017

“240 lbs. Black Man stomps out Hollywood Honcho” would be the headline the next day. (5/cont.)

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017

Only I probably wouldn’t have been able to read it because I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN JAIL. So we left.

(6/cont.)

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017

That night and the next day I talked to everyone I knew that worked with him about what happened. (7/cont.)

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017

He called me the next day with an apology but never really explained why he did what he did. (8/cont.)

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017

I decided not 2 take it further becuz I didn’t want 2b ostracized— par 4 the course when the predator has power n influence. (9/cont.)

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017

I let it go. And I understand why many women who this happens to let it go. (10/cont.)

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017

Who’s going 2 believe you? ( few) What r the repercussions?(many) Do u want 2 work again? (Yes) R you prepared 2b ostracized?(No)(11/cont.)

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017

I love what I do. But it’s a shame and the height of disappointment when someone tries to takes advantage of that. (12/cont.)

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017

He knows who he is. But sumtimes Uhav2 wait & compare notes w/ others who’ve been victimized in order 2gain a position of strength. (13cont)

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017

I understand and empathize with those who have remained silent. But Harvey Weinstein is not the only perpetrator. (14/cont.)

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017

Hollywood is not the only business we’re this happens, and to the casualties of this behavior— you are not alone. (15/cont.)

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017

Hopefully, me coming forward with my story will deter a predator and encourage someone who feels hopeless. (16/end)

— terrycrews (@terrycrews) October 10, 2017

According to The Hollywood Reporter, WME suspended Venit for one month (with pay) in response to the allegations and demoted him from his position as head of the motion picture department. WME has not responded to multiple media requests for comment on this story.