During Mass at Our Lady of the Visitation in Green Township, a tense confrontation erupted when NFL long snapper Jake McQuaide, 37, stood up and demanded answers about allegations that a parish priest, Rev. Martin Bachman, accessed pornography on a parish-owned computer. The incident unfolded in front of a congregation as Archdiocese of Cincinnati Chancellor Jason Williams addressed the group about the accusations. McQuaide, who previously played for the Los Angeles Rams, is now a free agent after spending last season with multiple teams, including the Miami Dolphins.
Williams read a letter from Archbishop Robert Casey, stating that all concerns had been investigated, and no wrongdoing had been substantiated against either Bachman or the parish’s pastor, Don Siciliano. The letter also emphasized that recent rumors, which lacked verified facts, were considered sinful and could harm the reputations of individuals. Casey noted that Green Township Police confirmed there was no evidence of criminal wrongdoing by Bachman or ongoing ecclesiastical investigations.
McQuyde, who had already faced scrutiny for alleged misconduct in the NFL, confronted the officials during the service. He was escorted out of the church by police at the direction of the archdiocese. Police confirmed that he was not arrested or charged with a crime. One parishioner had previously filed a complaint with the archdiocese after allegedly seeing explicit images on the parish computer, prompting the accusations against the priest. Bachman is scheduled to take a planned sabbatical in July, as stated in the letter.
The confrontation highlights the intersection of religious and public life, with McQuaide’s actions sparking debate over accountability, transparency, and the role of individuals in addressing alleged misconduct. The incident also underscores the challenges faced by clergy in managing public perception and handling allegations that could impact a parish’s reputation.