Detroit Lions new head coach Matt Patricia is engulfed in controversy after sexual assault charges against him in 1996 resurfaced.

Per Michael Rothstein of ESPN, Patricia spoke out publicly about it on Thursday morning, expressing his innocence along with pointing out that these charges were untrue.

“The truth is on my side. I lived with the mental torture of the situation where facts can be completely ignored or misrepresented with disregard to the consequence and pain that it would create for another person,” Patricia said. “I find it unfair and upsetting that someone would bring this claim up over two decades later for the sole purpose of hurting my family, my friends and this organization with the intention of trying to damage my character and credibility.

“I was innocent then, and I am innocent now. Let me be clear. My priorities remain the same, to move forward and strive to be the best coach, teacher and man that I can possibly be.”

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All of this stems from an alleged situation that occurred during spring break in 1996, leading to charges of aggravated assault. He was indicted but the case never made it to court, as the accuser was unable to give an appropriate time to testify that led to the case being closed.

This renewed attention toward the matter has led to the NFL voicing that they will conduct their own investigation to get a better understanding of what transpired. It is a serious situation that the league has taken a strict zero-tolerance approach to over the last several years.