3 minute read
The Haze Over Northwestern Football
from August 2 - 8, 2023
The Haze Over Northwestern Football
Vendors (l-r) Russell Adams, John Hagan, and Donald Morris chat with Patrick Edwards about the world of sports.
Patrick: “Former Northwestern football players retain lawyers for expected legal action in hazing scandal.” A headline from the Chicago Tribune July 17. Eight players so far. What do you guys think?
John: The first article I read was from The Daily Northwestern on July 8. It gave a ton of detail as to how Northwestern Wildcats freshmen football players were allegedly hazed in all sorts of humiliating drills. I won’t go into too much detail, but much of what we’re told is that it involved players forced to engage in alleged naked rituals. So, no full-out acts, but acts that the authorities are labeling sexual abuse.
Donald: Wow….
John: And not only were the allegedly hazed student-athletes naked during these acts, the other players allegedly committing the hazing were also naked.
Patrick: Now, before we go on, we must say that these are still all alleged. That the situation is still being investigated.
Russ: Right.
Donald: Yeah. I mean, we know hazing happens. Mind you, the investigation did not find “sufficient evidence” that Coach Pat Fitzgerald and his staff were aware of the hazing.
John: For me, it’s just the heavy sexual aspect of it that’s off to me. Makes it that much heavier. But, this is all alleged.
Donald: Remember, the coach is the only person connected to all of this who’s been punished…as far as we know.
Russ: I don’t know if I’m cool with Coach being fired over this scandal. Personally, as he has said, I don’t think he knew about it. How much did the assistants know? Its way bigger than Northwestern's football team. It sets an example for the whole student body, especially fraternities and sororities.
Patrick: You’re right. And for those not in the know, an investigation into the matter began with the university being made aware of anonymous hazing complaints back in November 2022, Coach Fitzgerald was initially suspended without pay for two weeks July 7.
John: And three days following that suspension’s start, Fitzgerald was fired.
Patrick: So, what do you guys think about Mr. Ben Crump being brought in?
Donald: That’s that famous Black lawyer, right?
Patrick: Yep. Mr. Crump founded Ben Crump Law PLLC and may be the most recognizable and successful attorney when it comes to cases with civil rights and personal injury components.
Russ: I like him, but I still don’t believe the way the media and everyone else has treated Coach has been fair.
John: Just found this: “At least three former players also have alleged a culture of racism within the program, with Black coaches and players pressured to cut off longer hairstyles to fit the ‘Wildcat Way.’”
Donald: Oh, wow—even the coaches were pressured?
Russ: I’m going to continue to support Northwestern, my favorite Big 10 team. Also, I believe a suspension would have been more than enough.
John: This is bad, if the reports are true. The other question is – was there a cover up?
Donald: Okay. Well, I can see both of your sides. We’ll know soon enough what’s really going on.
