As more allegations about what exactly took place at Northwestern continue, one former player has dropped a new bombshell about Pat Fitzgerald’s program.
Former Wildcats wide receiver/quarterback Lloyd Yates, who is black, told USA TODAY that it was even worse for black players.
“The abusive culture was especially devastating for many players of color,” he said.
A lawsuit filed Tuesday alleged that fired football coach Pat Fitzgerald enabled a culture of racism, including forcing players of color to cut their hair and behave differently to be more in line with the “Wildcat Way.”
Lloyd said every football team member was a victim no matter their role on the team and blamed the university for not protecting them.
“The university and football program let us down, and that’s why we are here today,” he said.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is representing Lloyd and several other players. Crump also spoke on behalf of his clients, saying this goes beyond hazing.
“This is a civil rights issue for me,” Crump said via USA TODAY. “I think these players have the right to be respected and valued and not hazed, intimidated and retaliated.”
Crump has said that players from other athletic teams on campus, both men and women, have also contacted him and his law firm.