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  6. article_body => "<p>Speaking publicly for the first time since missing practice after participating in an investigation into the death of 21-year-old Julia Crabbe, Montae Nicholson&nbsp;thanked the Redskins organization and his teammates for their support.<\/p>\n<p>Nicholson, who played just days after Crabbe's drug overdose death at his home, said the decision to play in last Sunday's game against the Jets was difficult but was his alone.<\/p>\n<p>\"It was, without a doubt,\" Nicholson said of how hard the decision to play. \"But, you know, at the end of the day, it was my decision. I wasn't forced into anything. It wasn't easy at all trying to separate the field from everything that was going on.\"<\/p>\n<p>According to reports, Nicholson found Crabbe collapsed in his bathroom. He took her to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Nicholson is reported to be cooperating with investigators <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/redskins\/report-montae-nicholson-cooperating-authorities-following-womans-death\">looking into the victim's death.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>When speaking to reporters on Thursday, Nicholson asked that the media respect his privacy and said he wouldn't be taking questions on the legal situation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\"This week has been extremely hard on not only myself but Julia's friends and family, as well. I would appreciate if you all respect my privacy while everything is going on,\" he said.&nbsp;\"At this time, I will only be taking questions on responding to and about the Lions this week. I'm sorry.\"<\/p>\n<p>He has practiced all week in advance of the Lions and is expected to play on Sunday. Diving into football, he said, has been a large part of his coping with the tragedy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\"It's been rough, to say the least. But, you know, with my teammates and friends who aren't in the state or just aren't around here, the head office made it very well known that they have my back in everything that was going on and if I needed anything, just to talk or anything like that, they made that known that the door was wide open,\" he said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Nicholson said having the team's support means a lot to him.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\"They could've shut the door on me and turned their backs, but they didn't,\" he said.&nbsp;\"And that just speaks volumes to the type of program I'm a part of. I'm extremely grateful to be here and to still be here.\"<\/p>\n<p>This isn't Nicholson's first off-field incident during his time with the Redskins. He finished the 2018 season under suspension after being arrested for a fight outside of a Loudon County restaurant. Those charges were later dropped.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>MORE REDSKINS NEWS:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>More snaps needed:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/redskins\/these-3-younger-lesser-known-redskins-should-see-more-playing-time-down-stretch\">These three should play<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Judging Haskins?:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/redskins\/rushing-judgment-dwayne-haskins-maybe-these-numbers-will-change-your-mind\" target=\"_self\">Look at these numbers first<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Vet and rookie:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/redskins\/alex-smith-redskins-practice-working-dwayne-haskins-video\" target=\"_self\">Smith and Haskins working together<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
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Redskins

Redskins

Speaking publicly for the first time since missing practice after participating in an investigation into the death of 21-year-old Julia Crabbe, Montae Nicholson thanked the Redskins organization and his teammates for their support.

Nicholson, who played just days after Crabbe's drug overdose death at his home, said the decision to play in last Sunday's game against the Jets was difficult but was his alone.

"It was, without a doubt," Nicholson said of how hard the decision to play. "But, you know, at the end of the day, it was my decision. I wasn't forced into anything. It wasn't easy at all trying to separate the field from everything that was going on."

According to reports, Nicholson found Crabbe collapsed in his bathroom. He took her to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. Nicholson is reported to be cooperating with investigators looking into the victim's death. 

When speaking to reporters on Thursday, Nicholson asked that the media respect his privacy and said he wouldn't be taking questions on the legal situation. 

"This week has been extremely hard on not only myself but Julia's friends and family, as well. I would appreciate if you all respect my privacy while everything is going on," he said. "At this time, I will only be taking questions on responding to and about the Lions this week. I'm sorry."

He has practiced all week in advance of the Lions and is expected to play on Sunday. Diving into football, he said, has been a large part of his coping with the tragedy. 

 

"It's been rough, to say the least. But, you know, with my teammates and friends who aren't in the state or just aren't around here, the head office made it very well known that they have my back in everything that was going on and if I needed anything, just to talk or anything like that, they made that known that the door was wide open," he said. 

Nicholson said having the team's support means a lot to him. 

"They could've shut the door on me and turned their backs, but they didn't," he said. "And that just speaks volumes to the type of program I'm a part of. I'm extremely grateful to be here and to still be here."

This isn't Nicholson's first off-field incident during his time with the Redskins. He finished the 2018 season under suspension after being arrested for a fight outside of a Loudon County restaurant. Those charges were later dropped. 

MORE REDSKINS NEWS: