Two Women Accuse Marcellus Wiley of Rape During Columbia Years, Reviving Prior Allegations

Two new allegations of rape have been leveled against former NFL player Marcellus Wiley, stemming from his time at Columbia University in 1994. These accusations come as Wiley continues to face legal and public scrutiny over prior claims of sexual misconduct.

Both women allege that Wiley assaulted them in his dorm room while he was playing for Columbia's football team. One woman recalls being pressured into the encounter on October 27, 1994, stating that Wiley ignored repeated refusals, overpowered her, and held her down while whispering for her to "relax, enjoy it, stop crying, and stop fighting the feeling," according to the lawsuit.

In an especially troubling detail, the woman claims she reported the incident to a Columbia University administrator, only to be discouraged from filing a criminal complaint. The administrator allegedly warned her that she would "be known as the girl who destroyed a Black man’s NFL dream." (Seriously, how does one even begin to unpack such a horrendous response?)

The second woman alleges Wiley assaulted her about a month later, under similar circumstances. Both cases have been filed under New York's Adult Survivors Act, which allows victims of sexual assault to seek justice despite the passage of time.

Wiley's attorneys have not issued a response to these latest claims. However, the former NFL star has previously denied similar allegations in no uncertain terms. In fact, when the first lawsuit was filed in November 2023, Wiley dismissed it as "BS."

The initial lawsuit, also tied to Wiley's time at Columbia, accused him of forcing himself on a woman during his sophomore year. Wiley admitted to spending the night in the woman’s dorm room but denied having intercourse. He claimed, "If you're a virgin, I am not going to be your first," and suggested the accuser fabricated her story due to having a boyfriend at the time.

Wiley has also publicly acknowledged that his physical appearance—describing himself as a "big Black man from Compton"—may have contributed to stereotypes working against him. (It’s a deeply layered issue, but not one that excuses any alleged behavior.)

After leaving Columbia, Wiley went on to enjoy a decade-long NFL career, playing for teams like the Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, and Jacksonville Jaguars. He recorded 44 sacks and 322 combined tackles over 147 games before transitioning to a career in sports media.