Broncos Prospect’s Reps Send Clear Message After Decision on Federal Lawsuit

New Denver Broncos center Clay Webb was a standout, but he went undrafted after two years at Georgia and three at Jacksonville State. According the 9News’ Mike Klis, the potential leading cause for Webb’s slide is behind him.

Klis reported expectations were Webb would come off the board “somewhere between the fourth and sixth round.” Some scouts viewed him as the “third-best center” in the class.

An “unresolved federal bullying lawsuit” caused concerns. Webb resolved the matter in April.

“While this was an unfortunate event for all parties involved, Clay never had any ill intent. He never met the plaintiff before the incident, and something that started out as a joke ended with a mishap,” Webb’s representation, Athletes Perspective Group, said in a statement, per Klis on May 8. “We are grateful for the Broncos organization believing in Clay. He will represent the team in a positive light both on and off the field. Clay is focusing on getting better each day and is excited for his opportunity with the Broncos.”

Klis reported that, during Webb’s senior season in high school in Alabama, –  where he first encountered Bo Nix, the incoming rookie “ejaculated into a sports drink bottle” and placed it in his locker to “counter” an “epidemic” of thefts in the locker room.

A student took the bottle, giving it to “another student-athlete who drank from the bottle.”

That third student’s parent filed a federal lawsuit with the matter framed as a “bullying incident,” Klis added.

“Seven years later, the case against Webb reached a conclusion last month. According to documents obtained by 9NEWS, Circuit Judge Timothy C. Burgess ruled the actions in this case a) did not sufficiently satisfy the elements of outrage, b) there was no evidence of intent by Webb to harm the plaintiff, c) there was no physical injury to the plaintiff and d) because the plaintiff’s alleged damages were caused by a third party who stole the bottle from Webb’s locker and transported it to a separate locker room, judgment was granted in Webb’s favor on the negligence claim.”

Klis noted that Webb was upfront with teams, including the Broncos, about the incident.

Kils also reported that Webb’s representation sent a letter to all 32 teams alerting them that the case had been dismissed.