Former and current Northwestern football players have spoken out after shocking hazing allegations emerged within the program. The university’s president, Michael Schill, admitted that he may have made a mistake in the punishment handed down to head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald was suspended for two weeks without pay as disturbing allegations of hazing practices continue to surface. In an interview with the student-run newspaper, The Daily Northwestern, a former player described the sexualized hazing rituals that allegedly took place inside the locker room. One particular practice, referred to as “running,” involved restraining a younger player while older players engaged in a sexualized act. The former player stated, “It’s just a really abrasive and barbaric culture that has permeated throughout that program for years on end now.”
The former player reported his claims to the school in late 2022, and investigators addressed his allegations during a university-commissioned probe, the findings of which were recently released. ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg also interviewed former and current players, including the whistleblower who sparked the six-month investigation. Rittenberg revealed that the whistleblower shared similar hazing allegations that were detailed in the student-run newspaper.
According to Rittenberg, “There were other incidents, you know, whether it was how many Gatorade shakes you could drink in 10 minutes. There were other naked incidents that happened in the locker room, according to this whistleblower.”
In response to the allegations, the entire Northwestern football team signed a letter denying the validity of the claims, stating that the allegations were “exaggerated and twisted” and asserting that Northwestern football players do not tolerate hazing.
Michael Schill, the university president, acknowledged the need to reassess the punishment for Coach Fitzgerald, mentioning that he may have focused too much on what the coach didn’t know rather than what he should have known. Schill expressed his intention to discuss the matter with the board of trustees and other leaders to determine an appropriate penalty.
The shocking hazing allegations have cast a dark shadow over the Northwestern football program, and further action is expected to address the issue and ensure the safety and well-being of the players.