Title: Former Northwestern Football Players Seek Legal Action Against School Over Hazing Allegations
Date: [Date]
Northwestern University is facing legal action as eight former football players have hired a prominent law firm, Levin & Perconti, along with civil rights attorney Ben Crump, to pursue a case against the school regarding hazing within the football program. The law firm announced its partnership with Crump on Monday, revealing that they have uncovered a wide range of incidents of abuse in the Northwestern football program, including forced participation in humiliating acts, racial bias, physical discomfort, sexual abuse, and psychological trauma.
According to a statement released by Levin & Perconti, more players are expected to join the legal action in the coming days. The firm also stated that the legal action aims to expand beyond Northwestern’s football program and shed light on extreme and abusive hazing practices prevalent in other college athletic programs as well.
Earlier this year, Northwestern had initiated an independent investigation into hazing within its football program, conducted by an outside law firm. In July, the school announced that the accusations made by the players were largely substantiated by the evidence. However, no specific instances of misconduct by a player or coach could be pinpointed. As a result, head coach Pat Fitzgerald was suspended for two weeks without pay, after which he was reinstated. The investigation had found no evidence suggesting Fitzgerald’s awareness of the hazing activities.
However, following a report by The Daily Northwestern detailing specific allegations, school president Michael Schill backtracked on the findings and terminated Fitzgerald on July 10, citing his failure to prevent significant hazing within the football program. Since then, Fitzgerald has obtained legal counsel and is considering legal action against the university.
In a statement, attorney Ben Crump emphasized that regardless of whether the coaches at Northwestern were directly involved in the harassment, they are responsible for fostering a toxic and damaging culture within their programs. Crump also expressed concern that the abuse of student-athletes may be more widespread in college campuses than currently known, as there is immense pressure to silence victims. Crump called for a reckoning to protect young athletes.
Up until now, no players have faced public disciplinary action from the university. Northwestern has retained the rest of the coaching staff and promoted defensive coordinator David Braun as the interim head coach for the upcoming season. Braun was hired in January.
The legal action taken by the former Northwestern football players underscores the urgency to address hazing and abuse within college athletic programs. This case has brought attention to the need for a thorough examination of practices that endanger the safety and well-being of student-athletes across the nation.
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