Eight former Northwestern football players intend to sue the university over alleged “physical, sexual and emotional abuse” following the school’s investigation into hazing within the Wildcats program, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reported Monday. The players have retained noted civil rights attorney Ben Crump for the lawsuit.
“Whether the coaches at Northwestern approved or participated in the harassment of these players or not, they are responsible for allowing and enabling a toxic, disgusting, and damaging culture in their programs,” Crump said, via Rittenberg.
Northwestern investigated the football program following claims of hazing by a former player and initially suspended head coach Pat Fitzgerald two weeks. However, after The Daily Northwestern reported details of the hazing, included accusations of coerced sexual acts, Northwestern fired Fitzgerald.
Despite the hazing allegations, and in between Fitzgerald’s suspension and firing, the Northwestern football team shared a statement supporting Fitzgerald. The statement was signed “The ENTIRE Northwestern Football Team,” and it pushed back on the allegations.
“The recent allegations brought forth are exaggerated and twisted,” the statement read. “We firmly deny the validity of these accusations and stand united in our assertion that they do not reflect the character of our team.”
After firing Fitzgerald, Northwestern named defensive coordinator David Braun as interim head coach, and the school is expected to retain the rest of the football staff.
