Denver Bronco Adam Gotsis reveals all about rape charges and career-worst season

Adam Gotsis wants to set the record straight. For too long he has stayed silent after his life descended into chaos.

Sat in a small room at the Denver Broncos’ performance facility, the 6’4", 130 kg Australian briefly looked up before diverting his gaze to the ground beneath him. His shoulders rolled forward before slouching over.

“It was definitely tough” Gotsis said, recalling the rape charges levelled against him in 2018.

“I really felt like I couldn’t talk to anyone about what was going on. I knew what happened and didn’t happen, so it was a tough spot to be in.”

Almost two years ago on February 1, 2018, a then 30-year-old woman told Atlanta police she was raped by Gotsis back in 2013 during his time at Georgia Tech University. The pair allegedly met through mutual friends at a party before returning to Gotsis’ home. It is there, the woman alleged, he forced himself upon her.

A month on from the belated accusation Gotsis received a phone call which would alter his life forever. A warrant was out for his arrest and despite utter disbelief and shock, he turned himself in on March 7, 2018.

Just 15 minutes from downtown Atlanta, Gotsis was locked behind bars for around 10 hours. Fulton County’s jail cell was a long way from the opulence of the NFL. The only luxuries offered were a bologna sandwich and a M&M cookie — both of which went untouched. Gotsis’ career and personal life flashed before his eyes as panic set in. What would his future hold?

“Going into the jail, I was thinking what the hell am I doing in here, why am I in here? Emotionally it just tears you apart,” Gotsis exclusively told Patrick Djordjevic.

“Deep down I always knew I was going to be all right. The truth is always going to come out, no matter what it is, so in my heart I knew I was going to be okay.”

After posting $50,000 (USD) bail, Gotsis was released from custody and tried to resume the most normal life possible. He chose not to return to his family in Australia after his visa was cancelled. Thus, his sisters traveled to America to be by his side

While the investigation continued, he was permitted to train with the Broncos as normal. The gruelling football schedule offered solace for an otherwise troubled man. Moments of solitude caused great anguish and despite a constant protestation of innocence, doubts over his future were amplified in isolation.

In August 2018 Gotsis received an outcome he had yearned for. The Fulton County District Attorney dropped the investigation, clearing Denver’s No. 99 of any wrongdoing.

Almost 18 months on from the decision, Gotsis is still lost for words. The damage to his name hurts him more than anything else, the pain visible as he discusses the subject. No longer was he the jovial, gentle giant. Gotsis became quieter, exhibiting a previously unseen vulnerability.

“Growing up you want to develop into this man, this good guy with great character, and to have it tarnished and dragged through the mud was pretty shitty,” he said.

“The toughest part of it was all of a sudden the news breaks and all of this stuff is written about it. It’s an uphill battle to rebuild your character with the people that didn’t believe you [but] I don’t need to prove anything to anyone else. For all of the bad that comes in your life, there’s some good on the other side.”

Before long hardship returned to Gotsis’ life, this time in the form of on-field troubles. March 2020 signals the moment Gotsis will hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent — meaning he can sign for any of the NFL’s 32 teams. A contract year can be make-or-break for NFL players as they look to entice teams into a bidding war for their services. A poor season can jeopardise those chances or more worryingly their prospects of remaining in the league.

Gotsis’ most important season to date certainly didn’t pan out how he had dreamed. After playing all 16 games across the previous three seasons, he was relegated to just nine in 2019 — largely in thanks to four weeks on the inactive list.

No. 99 was relieved of his playing duties in the lead up to the Week five clash with the L.A. Chargers. There was no explanation from Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, nor any mention of areas for improvement. The Aussie sought out answers, only to be kept in the dark. After a month in the cold, he was reluctantly recalled following an injury to fellow defensive end DeMarcus Walker.

Gotsis brooded as the topic of his inactivity arose. No longer was the affable colossus relaxed. His chest proud, arms locked, pressing firmly into his legs. Gotsis seemed like an animal penned in a cage for too long.

When quizzed about being disrespected, he replied sharply with disdain, “one-hundred percent I feel disrespected!"

As the trade deadline approached Gotsis was willing to be moved, however it never eventuated. Notwithstanding his sense of injustice, Gotsis is willing to return to Denver — so long as he is valued.

“Obviously I love being in Denver but if I’m not playing and I feel like I can go play somewhere, I want to go and play,” he said. “I’m with the team for this season and just as the team can get rid of me, I have to be ready too.”

More than anything, he wanted to prove Fangio and Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell wrong after his benching. For five weeks it seemed as if Gotsis was on his way, then injury struck. On the third play of Denver’s Week 14 win over Houston, Gotsis tore his anterior cruciate ligament before bravely playing on. Scans later revealed it was a full tear of the left ACL — the same knee he injured in college. The setback is unlikely to affect his chances of being signed, with a return to full health likely to occur in pre-season.

Gotsis’ enforced absence did his statistics no favours. Unsurprisingly, 2019 saw career-lows across the board. He finished with 16 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 0 sacks. Despite the regression, Gotsis believes his play goes far beyond the numbers.

Eight-time All-Pro teammate Von Miller agrees. The superstar’s life is made easier with Gotsis up front, opening up space for him to attack the quarterback.

“Especially in pass rush ‘cause he’s big, he’s strong and he’s able to move, so he creates a lot of problems for guys on the inside,” Miller exclusively told Patrick Djordjevic. “[When] we’re working together I usually come free.”

Despite making fun of his accent and hairline, Miller — like many of his teammates — loves Gotsis’ presence in the locker room. Uncertainty surrounds Gotsis' whereabouts next season but Miller, MVP of Super Bowl 50, believes the Aussie won’t be back in his homeland anytime soon.

When asked if Gotsis would be back in Denver this year, Miller paused.

“Ah, I think so, and if not, he’s gonna go to a team that can use him and have continued success. There’s not too many body styles like him, he’s going to be here (in the league) for a while.”

Few Australians have been able to withstand the cutthroat nature of a league referred to as ‘Not For Long.’ Many have tried and failed to make the grade -- think Jarryd Hayne, ex-Gold Coast Sun Joel Wilkinson and most recently, Valentine Holmes.

For any Aussie dreaming of a switch to the NFL, Gotsis has a warning; “if you’re going to come out, give it a fair whack.”

An unbreakable resolve is a non-negotiable and he suggests this may have contributed to some falling short.

“It kind of sucks when you hear them say it’s a dream of mine, this and that. Well it’s not a dream of yours if you’re going to try it for two weeks. When you say something like that, you should be committing to it for the long haul.”

The hard road is something Gotsis has undoubtedly invested in — both physically and financially. Over the course of 12 months, he spends $50,000 USD to preserve and sharpen his body. Massages, cupping, stretch sessions, joint alignment and intravenous (IV) infusion are all part of a year-round weekly routine. With time at the Broncos’ facility limited to meetings, practice and workouts, players often do “bodywork” on the outside. IV therapy is commonplace across the NFL and Gotsis will often start his Monday off with a pure saline or glutamine fluid to aid recovery before indulging again on Fridays.

According to Gotsis, there is no better investment than his body. It is his moneymaker and he is under no illusions someone of his size must take care of the vehicle used to batter offensive lineman.

“It’s a hefty buck, but your body is going to take you as far as you can go. if your body isn’t ready, you won’t be out there making plays. It’ll be a short career if you don’t take care of it.”

Despite tribulations both in his professional and personal life, Gotsis’ faith in God has always provided solace. Growing up in a tight-knit family of seven, faith was, and continues to be an ever-present part of his life.

“Through [the rape allegations] and the adversity I’ve gone through this season it’s always been a solid rock point and I’ve always been able to talk to and communicate with. I think without that, it makes a lot of things tougher and you know, it’s something that I hold pretty personal to myself and it gives me comfort.”

The arrival of his first child Illias on Tuesday has Gotsis, and partner, Riley beyond excited for life as parents. He is praying he can tackle the task of fatherhood as well as opposition running backs.

Whether Illias grows up in Colorado or elsewhere is still to be answered but there is no doubt his father will be ready to overcome any challenges which lie in his path.

The humble Aussie has endured more than most in his young life and if there is any truth to light being at the end of a tunnel, Gotsis’ 2020 will be a blinding success.