By Trend News Line 2024-05-09 10:24:16.
Former NU Football Players File Lawsuit Against Northwestern University and Pat Fitzgerald
Three former football players from Northwestern University have recently filed lawsuits against the university and former Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald. The lawsuits allege a disturbing pattern of violent sexual and emotional abuse within the football program, painting a grim picture of the culture that existed during their time as student-athletes at NU.
Nathan Fox, who played for NU from 2015 to 2019, along with two other individuals identified as John Doe #10 (NU 2019-2023) and John Doe #22 (NU 2020-2023), are the latest plaintiffs to come forward with their accounts of abuse. These new cases bring the total number of ex-NU player lawsuits to 25, highlighting the widespread nature of the allegations.
John Doe #22, who is referred to as the original whistleblower in these lawsuits, raised concerns about hazing within the football program, leading to an external investigation being conducted by NU. This investigation ultimately resulted in the termination of Pat Fitzgerald, who had initially received only a two-week suspension in response to the allegations.
Fitzgerald, in turn, has filed a lawsuit against NU for wrongful termination and has vehemently denied any knowledge of the hazing that allegedly took place under his watch. He is seeking $130 million in damages as a result of his dismissal from the university.
According to statements from Levin & Peconti, the law firm representing the plaintiffs, Nathan Fox had reportedly informed multiple NU employees about the hazing and emotional abuse he experienced years before the external investigation was launched. Despite these reports, the investigation found that Fitzgerald had no direct knowledge of the misconduct occurring within the football program.
In a troubling detail from Fox’s lawsuit, it is alleged that Fitzgerald publicly accused him of complaining to therapists about playing time and unfair treatment during a team meeting. This accusation reportedly had a severe impact on Fox’s mental health, leading him to contemplate suicide after being prescribed medication by an NU mental health therapist.
Attorney Margaret Battersby Black, representing the plaintiffs in these cases, has stated that individuals at NU who were aware of the hazing either chose to ignore it or retaliated against those who spoke out against the abuse. The legal team anticipates that more lawsuits will be forthcoming as more former players come forward with their experiences.
The allegations of abuse within the NU football program have cast a dark shadow over the university’s athletic department and raised serious questions about the oversight and accountability of coaching staff. As these lawsuits progress, the full extent of the harm caused to former players and the culture of the football program will continue to be scrutinized..
– ex-players sue NU & Fitz
– More players sue Northwestern and Fitzgerald.