ReutersAs the 49ers prepare for their second straight NFC title game, they’re dealing with an unexpected and unwelcome distraction.
MDS pointed out earlier tonight that receiver Michael Crabtree is being investigated for sexual assault. Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group reports that Crabtree was not seen with the team as it arrived at its hotel in Atlanta.Crabtree has yet to be arrested or charged, but the allegations are troubling and they provide yet another challenge for coach Jim Harbaugh.
If Crabtree did what he could end up being formally accused of doing, Crabtree will be facing a problem with Harbaugh. “He said that we can do anything in the world and we can come and talk to him and he’ll forgive us except put our hands on women,” safety Donte Whitner said last year. “If you put your hand on a woman then you’re done in his book. So other than putting your hands on women, you can do anything and come talk to him, and it’s true.”
Crabtree has emerged as the team’s top receiver in 2012. Though the 49ers have plenty of other effective pass-catchers, they need Crabtree to be effective and focused for the team’s biggest game of the season.
The incident allegedly occurred in the hours after the 49ers beat the Packers in the NFC divisional playoffs.
Channel Finder
Innocent untill proven guilty!!
It’s always something. Start the Dez Bryant clock because he’s about due to screw up anytime soon too.
Given Crabtree’s emergence as a top wide receiver, I wonder if Harbaugh would stick to his word about a player being done if he put his hands on a woman. I think it would be tough to let a rising star like that go, but Harbaugh definitely seems like the type to do just that.
Woman is from Atlanta. Nice strategy to take a top player out of the game!
Well now that AJ Jenkins pick is starting to make a lot more sense. Nah, not really.
Err Perrish Cox
Hoax!
-Manti
D-Block!!!
Eugene Robinson 2.0
If Crabtree couldn’t play this would not be a huge loss. He’s never had a 1000 yard season and never caught more then 7 TD’s in a season. The other WR’s will be able to fill in.
49ercarlos says:
Jan 18, 2013 11:44 PM
Innocent untill proven guilty!!
———————-
Just like Sherman?
Bad time for the distraction. Glad it’s not the Falcons and I hope for everyone involved that it’s not true.
According to team spokesmen, Matt Maiocco, and Matt Barrows, he’s in Atlanta.
Maybe he’ll light it up like Kobe did during his rape allegations.
Either way, nice job of putting yourself in this situation, Crabtree! Just when the fan base was starting to like you after your idiotic holdout as a rookie and complete disappearance during the playoffs last year…
dino2997 says:
Jan 19, 2013 12:20 AM
If Crabtree couldn’t play this would not be a huge loss. He’s never had a 1000 yard season and never caught more then 7 TD’s in a season. The other WR’s will be able to fill in.
———————————–
Look at his splits since Kaepernick started playing. Couple that with season-ending injuries to Mario Manningham and Kyle Williams, and you could not be more wrong.
Dino227 WHAT!!! He just had a 000 yard season and did u watch last playoff game at all? He was the passing yards. Get a clue! Or don’t comment Jesus!!!
If true, this makes the Te’o scandal inconsequential.
What Coincidence she did not complain until the morning . Its a bunch os bs. Hope the media drops this and move on we are about to watch a great game so lets move on from this bs story cause i know she love it that night .
Smh….Niners really need him.
Uhm, if he did what he’s accused of (sexual assault), then I think dealing with Harbaugh will be the least of his worries, compared to a judge/jury/prison/etc!
Hmmm…conspiracy. The Giants’ LT used to pay call girls and sent to opposing team’s hotel.
If there were any tangible proof than Crabtree would have been arrested. Sadly, we live in a time where a lot of derranged young women will make accusation for either the money or the attention. Let the investigation play out.
I would never expect such unbecoming behavior from a Man Francisco 69′er! Just TURRRIBULLL!!
He didn’t do nothin.
Maybe Crabtree took a cab from the airport and snuck in through the back of the hotel. The timing of this “incident” is peculiar.
He may be safe in Harbaugh’s book…doesn’t sound like he wanted anything to do with simply (alledgedly)putting his hands on her.
Wow, why would you put your hands on a woman. Smh this guy is a classless punk.
Harbaugh aint on the football field
playing WR.. and that women aint either. Crabtree would be nice on the other side from Marshall. and what ever happend between Crabtree and that women aint got nothing to do with Football.
He’s in Atlanta with the team and will play Sunday.
As a Falcons fan, I hope it didn’t happen. I want to see all of the best players on the field Sunday…Crabtree is one of them.
Why do these guys put themselves in the position to get caught up in such mess……..Just stupid I guess……thinking with their loins…….
Just do it like the Steelers and cut him already…
yourmomcalled says:Jan 19, 2013 12:22 AM
Just like Sherman?
———————————————————-
Umm … Sherman WAS proven guilty, when he failed the pee test.
He just got off on a technicality.
Crabtree and Dez Bryant were scum before they were drafted and STILL ARE.
Typical…. Would you expect anything less?
If this is true and Harbaugh dumps him—Harbaugh gets my vote for coach of the year.
What a drag it is getting old.
Maybe he went out on a date.
Belichecks setting him up.
Well, at least they have four other #1 receivers on the roster.
Thank god all those people I killed were men, Harbs will be cool.
Nothing wrong with putting your hands on a woman, as long as it’s welcomed of course.
I’d honestly be more afraid of Harbaugh than the police. That guy is a grade A nutbag, and he’s pretty big.
The Sherman referense are are funny to me because whether you believe he found a way and got off or not it is not even comparable to sexual assault and ignorant to say it is. If he did this which like the other posts say if there was any evidence he would be in custody.
in todays age… Guilty until proven Innocent…
Nothing but fantasy so far.
What if? What if?
If he has been concussed, like practically every player, his judgement could be affected.
If you look at Crabtree’s history and how hard he has worked to be getting where he is (as an emerging elite player and the fact the Niners are knocking on at he door of a Super Bowl), then logic says this is a crock.
The more immediate issue is what the coaches decide to do with him for this game.
Yeah, the police usually arrest first and ask questions later with rich, famous athletes. That’s why Mike Vick was in custody for 6 months while they worked on the dog fighting charges. Oh, wait… No, that’s ridiculous.
Make an example of him. I am so sick of NFL players being constantly involved with the law. Their attitudes need to change NOW.
Can we wait until more details come out before we decide to execute him please? This might be a made up story from someone try to get money from him. Maybe he is guilty. We don’t know what’s what yet.
Hey Hawks76, remember, Niners fans aren’t very smart, or cordial, or well behaved, or employable.