The estranged wife of NFL player Deven Thompkins has accused him of spousal abuse in multiple social media posts.
Maria Castilhos, Thompkins’ wife and mother of his two children, accused the wide receiver of abuse in a video on TikTok on Monday — just days after he was surprisingly released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
She said in the clip that she is involved in a divorce and custody case with Thompkins. Court records show the NFL free agent filed for divorce on Feb. 27 in Lee County, Florida, but there are no references to allegations of physical abuse.
“I’m not going to talk about me and Deven’s divorce or child custody because we have an ongoing lawsuit so I can’t comment on that,” Castilhos said in the video. ‘[…] This will, strictly speaking, be the abuse I have had to endure all these years with evidence of being called a liar.’
She then accused the wideout of “hitting me really bad” in the backseat of a car near Fort Myers, Florida, on Valentine’s Day 2023.
The estranged wife of NFL free agent Deven Thompkins (pictured) has accused him of sexual abuse
Maria Castilhos, Thompkins’ wife and mother of his two children, shared a post on TikTok
Castilhos shared photos showing injuries to her face and arm that she claimed she suffered during the incident.
Thompkins denied the allegations through his attorney, Brett R. Gallaway, who hit back with accusations of blackmail.
“First and foremost, Deven categorically denies the allegations made against him by his estranged wife, Maria Castilhos,” Gallaway said in a statement via the Tampa Bay Times.
“Unfortunately, Deven and Maria have been going through contentious divorce proceedings and a child custody battle, and it appears she thought it would help her case to release these false and defamatory videos.
“What she doesn’t mention on TikTok and other social media posts are her written admissions of ‘blackmail’ related to demands that Deven pay her increased alimony and other payments. There is clear and significant exculpatory evidence showing that Deven did not physically or otherwise abuse Maria.”
‘[…] We expect that he will be fully exonerated following an investigation of the facts, background and apparent ulterior motives behind the release of these videos and trumped-up allegations of assault.”
Castilhos also described in depth her relationship with Thompkins, which began when they were in high school.
She said they got engaged when they were just 17 and she became pregnant with their first child shortly before she graduated from high school. They later married at the age of 19.
WARNING – GRAPHIC CONTENT
Castilhos said in the clip that she is involved in a divorce and custody case with Thompkins
She accused the wideout of “beating me really bad” on Valentine’s Day 2023
Castilhos shared photos showing injuries she claimed to have suffered on her face and arm
She claimed she caught Thompkins cheating during their relationship, while they lived together in Utah during his college career at Utah State.
Castilhos also claimed that she tried to leave, but he did not let her, and also referred to “many violent episodes.” She admitted she had no evidence of those incidents.
She claimed that Thompkins once hit her “so hard” that she was forced to move in with his uncle in California.
She and Thompkins both had relationships with other people while separated before briefly reconciling before the alleged Valentine’s Day incident, Castilhos said.
“We’re back together and we’re finally coming to visit our family in Fort Myers,” Castilhos said in the video. “Like our family and friends, and we decide we’re going to have dinner with another couple. My best friend and her boyfriend. So we go out for dinner, we have drinks, and then he hit me really hard.”
Castilhos’ allegations come after Thompkins was released by the Bucs on May 30 due to injury.
Tampa Bay indicated he suffered a mild hamstring injury during voluntary offseason workouts, but head coach Todd Bowles said the “door is open” for his return if healthy.
However, Thompkins’ lawyer seemed to suggest that his release was a result of the charges.
“Deven would like to thank the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for giving him the privilege of playing for his hometown team,” Gallaway said.
Thompkins was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on May 30 due to injury
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said the “door is open” for his return if he is healthy
“While disappointed that the club released him before more facts became available, Deven will comply with any forthcoming league investigation.”
Castilhos faced a misdemeanor charge in November 2022, stemming from a Halloween party.
According to Cape Coral police, she was accused of walking up to a woman wearing a ski mask and punching her in the nose. Castilhos told police that the woman began making derogatory comments about her son having Down syndrome.
The case was dismissed in February 2023.