Pats Receiver Hit With Protection Order

Jan. 16, 2008— -- Randy Moss said Wednesday that allegations he committed battery against a woman are false and that she made the claim to get money from him.

"I want to make something clear," the New England Patriots wide receiver said while surrounded by reporters and cameras at his locker. "In my whole entire life of living 30 years, I've never put my hand on one woman, physically or in an angry manner."

The woman, identified in court records as Rachelle Washington, 35, of Fort Lauderdale, filed for and was granted a protection order against Moss, alleging he committed battery against her. The temporary injunction, issued in Broward County (Fla.) court, bars Moss from coming within 500 feet of the woman and from using or possessing firearms.

No criminal charges have been filed in the matter. A hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 28, which is the Monday before the Super Bowl.

Moss gave no details of the alleged incident, saying he was restricted by the legal case.

He said the woman was a friend of 11 years and that she asked for "six figures" for what Moss said was an accident in which she was hurt. He did not provide details about the accident.

"They're false allegations, something I've been battling for like the last couple of days of threats going public if I didn't pay X amount of dollars," Moss said. "So before people rush quick to judgment I think you need to find out the facts about, really, what's going on.

"This young lady by no means is hurt. I didn't hurt her."

New England plays the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship Game in Foxborough on Sunday.

Moss, who set an NFL record with 23 touchdown catches this season, said he spoke with coach Bill Belichick about the matter. Moss spoke to about 30 reporters in the locker room after Belichick's regular news conference at which the coach wasn't asked about it.

Moss has avoided off-field problems this season and has been hailed by other Patriots players as an excellent teammate and leader. In his previous nine seasons --