Former San Francisco 49ers star Dana Stubblefield accused of raping disabled woman

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Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Ex-49ers star Dana Stubblefield accused of raping disabled woman
Santa Clara County prosecutors say former San Francisco 49ers star Dana Stubblefield is being charged with raping a disabled woman inside his home in Morgan Hill, where she had been asked to come to interview for a babysitter job.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Santa Clara County prosecutors say former San Francisco 49ers star Dana Stubblefield is being charged with raping a disabled woman inside his home in Morgan Hill, where she had been asked to come to interview for a babysitter job.

Stubblefield lived at the home until about a week ago, but when the alleged attack took place, prosecutors say he was living at the home with his wife and two small children.

Stubblefield emerged from the Santa Clara County Jail without saying a word. His lawyer, though, spoke on his behalf. "He is 100 percent innocent, this is nothing more than an attempt to take advantage of Mr. Stubblefield," attorney Ken Rosenfeld said.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office says Stubblefield raped a 31-year-old developmentally disabled woman who came to his Morgan Hill home to interview for a nanny job on April 9, 2015.

Prosecutors say she left after a 20 minute interview, but Stubblefield texted her to return so he could pay her for mileage and her time. And they say that's when she was attacked. "I mean he's 340 plus pounds, six foot three, the victim is 5 foot, 105 pounds and he physically picked her up and carried her and assaulted her," Santa Clara Deputy District Attorney Tim Mcinerny said.

Prosecutors say the woman went to police immediately after, and that DNA and other evidence support her claim of rape.

But Stubblefield's attorney says his lie detector results prove the encounter was consensual and accusations of anything else are all part of a money grab. "She then texted him on more than 20 occasions asking him for money. We're going to prove all of this," Rosenfeld said.

Stubblefield spent a decade in the NFL playing for four teams, most notably for the San Francisco 49ers. As a Niner, he was awarded defensive rookie of the year, defensive player of the year and won a Super Bowl.

But since then, Stubblefield has run into trouble with the law, first as part of the BALCO steroids scandal, and then for stealing a former girlfriend's mail.

Regarding these latest accusations, Stubblefield and his attorneys will share more information in a news conference on Tuesday.

Stubblefield faces five felony counts related to the assault. If convicted, he faces a substantial prison sentence.