Septien Says Cowboys Abandoned Him, Would Like to Play for Raiders

Veteran kicker Rafael Septien, waived by the Dallas Cowboys after pleading guilty to a charge of indecency with a 10-year-old girl, said in an interview published Monday that the NFL club “turned its back” on him.

“I’m let down by the attitude of the Cowboys’ management, which turned its back on me when the criticism increased,” Septien, a Mexican citizen, said in the interview with the newspaper Excelsior.

“I pleaded guilty because of the advice of my lawyers and of the Dallas kicking coach, since they assured me that I wouldn’t have greater problems.

“I’m not an American and carrying out a long trial could have been very prejudicial. But it was the communications media that started a campaign of harassment and they even said I raped the girl when nothing could ever be proved.

“The incredible thing was that my team, instead of supporting me, said that public opinion was adverse and the best thing for my career was to go to another team. That hurt me a lot because I did very positive things for Dallas.”

There have been reports he might sign with the Raiders.

“Ever since I was contracted by Dallas, Al Davis (managing general partner of the Raiders) was very interested in my services and now that I’m free, there are great possibilities,” Septien said. “Personally, I would like to play in Los Angeles.”

Septien, 33, pleaded guilty April 8 in Denton in exchange for 10 years deferred probation and a $2,000 fine.