Landon Rice.JPG

Auburn tight end Landon Rice during the Auburn A-Day spring football game in Auburn, Ala. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

Landon Rice repeatedly apologized in a series of text messages to the woman accusing the former Auburn football player of rape, according to documents released by the accuser's attorney on Wednesday.

Rice, whose attorneys called the rape allegation against him "false" in a statement released Tuesday - he has not been charged with any crime, left the Auburn football team approximately two weeks ago for what coach Gus Malzahn called "personal reasons."

The accuser's attorney, Jeff Herman, released six pages of text messages between Rice and the accuser.

"My client is a courageous woman who wanted to keep this matter private," Herman said in a statement. "However, given the statement made by Landon's attorney she feels it is important for her to speak up. She is thankful for the support from Auburn University and the criminal authorities along with her friends and family. She is a courageous example for women everywhere and refuses to be silenced."

The accuser, whose identity is being protected by AL.com, started a text conversation with Rice at 9 p.m. April 18, six days after she later told Auburn police she was raped.

"I said no to having sex," the accuser, who is a student at Auburn University, wrote Rice. "I didn't say it just to hear my own voice, I said it because I meant it. So the fact that you didn't respect me enough to listen really really hurts. I know you knew better than that. I'm saying this because I want you to know that what you did was wrong. Whether it was 5 seconds or it was 20 minutes, it was still wrong.

"So I'm texting you about this for two reasons. One because the next time you are in that position, listen and do not make another girl feel disrespected like I do. Two because I want you you to just leave me alone from now on."

Rice responded in a series of texts that included the word "sorry" five times.

"Yes I knew it was wrong and I am sorry," Rice wrote. "There is nothing I can do to make it right. I am really sorry. I should have never put you in that position, I was just in the moment. That is not the person kind of person I am. (Accuser's name) I am really sorry."

The accuser responded by saying she wanted Rice to leave her alone and he again apologized.

"Can we just put this behind us and don't tell anyone. I'll leave you alone," Rice wrote. "Once again I am really sorry and I feel terrible about it."

The accuser responded, "Just don't do it again."

The April 18 texts end with Rice writing, "I'm not. I'm really sorry."

Rice and his accuser did not exchange texts again until he sent a message to her on June 1.

"Hey just checking in on you and wanted to know if you are having a good summer," Rice wrote. "I'm not asking for you to forgive me but just hope you are doing well. Could u [sic] text back and let me know something please."

Two days later, the woman responded and asked Rice to "stop trying to reach out" to her by phone and social media.

"I said I wanted to be left alone," she wrote on June 3. "Im fine until I have to see or hear your name, so seeing it on my phone isn't what I want. It's bad enough having to hear my parents read an article about auburn football and it mention you, and then have them constantly question me on why I don't like you. I can't say anything because I'm that mortified by it. So please stop, I'm sorry but I just do not want to hear from you."

Rice asked if they could "please just let it go and never bring it up again" and promised to leave the accuser alone.

"Why?" she responded. "Because you don't want it getting around and possibly affecting football???"

Again, Rice apologized.

"It was a mistake and I know that it was wrong and I hope you know I'm sorry and I think about how wrong it was a lot," he wrote. "I know it pains you but please just keep it to your self (accuser's name) please. I'm sorry I texted you. Was just checking in on you. I'll leave u alone."

The accuser reiterated her wishes that Rice leave her alone.

"You do not have the right to contact me," she wrote. "Better yet, you do not have the right to shut me up. Trust me, it's not the story that I want people knowing. I'm not saying anything to save your promising football career, I'm not saying anything because I'm too embarrassed and I don't want people to know."

Rice acknowledged he was "in the wrong" and again apologized.

"I'm sorry," he wrote. "So should I delete your number and if I see you in public just walk by? Is that okay?"

The accuser then told Rice it was "in your best interest to stay the (expletive) away from me" to which he answered, "Yes mam."

A message left by AL.com for Rice's attorney was not immediately returned.

On Sept. 15, Lee County Circuit Court judge Steven Speakman granted a temporary order of protection against Rice sought by the 19-year-old accuser, who requested the order of protection on Sept. 12 out of fear of "retaliation from (a) Title IX investigation" with the university. A hearing on the protective order is scheduled for the morning of Oct. 4.

The Auburn police list the first-degree rape case, which the accuser claims occurred at the South Donahue Residence Hall on Auburn's campus on the evening of April 12 and reported on July 27, as "inactive" as opposed to "pending" or "closed," but that classification does not mean the investigation is complete.

In the state of Alabama, first-degree rape is a Class A felony that carries a penalty of 10 years to life in prison, though Rice has not been charged.

An Auburn police spokesman said the department notified Auburn's Title IX office upon the incident being reported. It is unclear if or when the school's Title IX office made anyone in the athletic department aware of the rape accusation against Rice, who practiced with the football team during the entire month of August.

On Tuesday, an Auburn University spokesman told AL.com the school is "prohibited from discussing any Title IX matters."

Rice was an early enrollee and the only tight end Auburn signed in its 2016 recruiting class. His brother, Logan Rice, is a wide receiver on the team and he was granted a scholarship this summer.