Northwestern players hire famed civil rights attorney in lawsuit

Eight Northwestern players have retained famous civil rights attorney Ben Crump in their lawsuit against the school.

The Levin & Perconti law firm announced Monday it is partnering with civil rights attorney Ben Crump to represent the players.

“From forced participation in humiliating acts, racial bias, to punishments that inflicted severe physical discomfort, sexual abuse, and psychological trauma, the lawyers have uncovered a vast array of incidents of abuse in the Northwestern football program,” the firm said in a statement.

“More players are expected to join the legal action in the coming days. The legal action is expected to expand beyond Northwestern’s football program and will expose extreme and abusive hazing in other college athletic programs as well.”

Back in January, the school hired an outside law firm to investigate the alleged incidents but said, when the investigation concluded, that the evidence largely backed up the accusations but couldn’t point to specific misconduct by a player or coach.

Later, when more information came out, they fired head coach Pat Fitzgerald after only suspending for two weeks after their investigation was finished.

Fitzgerald is also threatening legal action against the school.

Meanwhile, Crump released a statement as well.

“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,” Crump said in a statement. “Sadly, our research suggests that this kind of abuse of student-athletes may be far more common on college campuses than we know because there is tremendous pressure to keep quiet. It’s time for a reckoning to protect young athletes.”

Crump had represented the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Jacob Blake.

{The Athletic}