Rams strength coach Ted Rath charged with sexual battery

Los Angeles Rams strength and conditioning coach Ted Rath has been charged with three counts of misdemeanor sexual battery, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. The charges were first reported by KNX 1070 in Los Angeles.

The Rams issued a statement addressing the situation, saying they are aware of the charges filed against Rath, who has pleaded not guilty.

“We are aware of the charges filed against Ted Rath. We take these allegations very seriously. Once the charges were filed, we decided Ted would take a leave of absence from the team as this matter works its way through the justice system.”

— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) March 15, 2019

The incident allegedly occurred in June, but Rath wasn’t arrested until seven months later. Rath missed the NFC championship game and Super Bowl because of a reported medical procedure.

On Friday, the Rams confirmed to Greg Beacham of the Associated Press that Rath is taking a leave of absence from the team. Rath’s attorney shared the following statement with the AP.

Rams strength training director Ted Rath’s attorney, Vicki Podberesky, shares this statement with AP after pleading not guilty on Rath’s behalf this morning to charges of misdemeanor sexual battery. pic.twitter.com/fyMtpmyp0B

— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) March 15, 2019

Rath was thrust into the spotlight briefly last season after NFL Films released a video showing him on the Rams sideline. His game-day job is to ensure head coach Sean McVay doesn’t get in the way of officials, pulling the coach back away from the field.

Rath joined the Rams in 2017 and has been in the NFL for 10 years.