Former Northwestern football players hire civil rights attorney after hazing scandal

The Northwestern saga continues. On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg broke significant news regarding the Wildcats’ football program.

“Eight former Northwestern players have retained noted civil rights attorney Ben Crump and Chicago law firm Levin & Perconti for a lawsuit against the university for ‘physical, sexual and emotional abuse’ related to the hazing incidents that took place in the program,” Rittenberg wrote on Twitter.

Northwestern fired head coach Pat Fitzgerald on July 11 after hazing allegations surfaced. Fitzgerald was the head coach at Northwestern for 17 seasons. Per Rittenberg, the program’s decision was due to multiple breaches of contract by Fitzgerald.

“Northwestern fired coach Pat Fitzgerald for cause, his attorney Dan Webb tells ESPN,” Rittenberg said via Twitter. “Webb is evaluating possible litigation around what he describes as “major” breaches of contract for Fitzgerald’s employment and the agreement with the school before Friday’s suspension.”

Fitzgerald quickly fired back in a written statement, insinuating impending legal action.

“Given this unexpected turn on events, I have entrusted my agent, Bryan Harlan, and legal counsel, Dan Webb from Winston & Strawn LLP, to take the necessary steps to protect my rights in accordance with the law.”

The allegations against Fitzgerald first sprouted from “The Daily Northwestern,” the student newspaper at Northwestern University. The newspaper quoted multiple former players, claiming Fitzgerald fostered a hazing culture that included racism.

Specifically, the hazing involved a practice referred to as “running,” which targeted players, typically freshmen, who made a mistake on the field. When a player was designated as a running target, they would be held down by a group of 8-10 upperclassmen wearing masks and “dry-humped,” according to “The Daily Northwestern.”

“Everyone would just be looking at each other and be like ‘bro, Fitz knows about this,’ because you wouldn’t take that action otherwise,” an anonymous former player told the student newspaper. “Everyone joins in, because he’s the head coach.” 

Northwestern initially suspended Fitzgerald without pay for two weeks, but NW president Michael Schill changed the punishment after reevaluation.

“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,” Rittenberg added on Twitter.

On Friday, the program named defensive coordinator David Braun as the interim head football coach for the 2023 season. Braun is grateful for the opportunity.

“The opportunity to lead this team at this crucial moment in its history is not something I take lightly, and I’m grateful for the trust placed in me by Dr. [Derrick] Gragg and Northwestern leadership,” Braun said in a press release. “Our focus today and every day moving forward is on supporting these men, many of whom have only been on campus for several weeks, in their preparation for the 2023 football season and the 2023-24 academic year.”