Ted Rath, the Los Angeles Rams' director of strength training and performance, is on a leave of absence after being arrested and charged with three misdemeanor counts of sexual battery.
The Rams confirmed Rath's leave of absence Friday.
"We are aware of the charges filed against Ted Rath," the team said in a statement. "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."
Along with his responsibilities in strength training, Rath gained minor fame last season as the so-called "get-back coach" assigned to make sure Rams head coach Sean McVay doesn't step too far onto the field while coaching on the sideline.
Rath was arrested and released on bail Jan. 15, five days before the Rams beat New Orleans in the NFC championship game, according to Ventura County Sheriff's Department spokesman Eric Hatlee.
Rath didn't travel with the team to New Orleans or to the Super Bowl. The Rams said the coach was recovering from an injury at the time.
In a team statement issued Friday, the Rams said they "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."
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Rath's attorney, Vicki Podberesky, pleaded not guilty on his behalf Friday morning. She says they will go to trial if necessary to prove Rath is not guilty.
"Mr. Rath takes these allegations very seriously," Podberesky said in a statement. "Ted is a man who has led a law-abiding life. He is a husband, a father and a dedicated family man. He has the utmost respect for women and would never intentionally act in a manner that was demeaning or otherwise inappropriate. We intend to defend this matter to the fullest extent possible in a court of law, and we believe that after there has been a full vetting of the facts of this case Mr. Rath will be shown to be not guilty of these charges."
Hatlee didn't immediately have any details of the misdemeanor charges against Rath.
Rath joined the Rams in 2017 after serving as an assistant strength coach with the Dolphins and Lions. He is married with three children, according to the Rams.
