TL;DR
- More than a dozen former NFL players join a lawsuit against Ohio State University.
- The lawsuit alleges sexual abuse by campus doctor Richard Strauss.
- Former players include Al Washington and Ray Ellis.
- Ohio State has faced lawsuits since 2018, settling with many survivors.
- The university is still battling several active lawsuits.
In a stunning move that’s sending shockwaves through the sports world, more than a dozen former NFL players have thrown their hats into the ring, joining a class action lawsuit against Ohio State University. These brave souls, once stars on the football field, are now standing up against the dark legacy of sexual abuse they endured at the hands of the infamous campus doctor, Richard Strauss.
Thirty former Ohio State University football players, including a notable group who went on to play in the NFL, have signed on to this class action lawsuit. They are joining forces with other ex-students who allege they were sexually abused by Strauss decades ago. The announcement was made by former OSU wrestler Mike DiSabato, who has been a vocal advocate for the survivors since he publicly came forward with his own allegations in 2018.
Among the prominent former Buckeyes now seeking justice are Al Washington, Ray Ellis, and Keith Ferguson. Washington, now 67, expressed his frustrations, stating, “When you play football, you encounter obstacles, and when I was a Buckeye, I decided not to let what happened to me defeat me, so I kept quiet. But I’ve been living with this a long time, and it’s time to settle this once and for all.”
These men are not just fighting for their own justice; they are demanding accountability from Ohio State University. Washington, who later played for the New York Jets, emphasized the need for the university to take responsibility for the abuse that occurred under its watch. “I love Ohio State, but I want Ohio State to take some accountability for what happened to us,” he said.
For years, Strauss preyed on young men under the guise of providing medical examinations required for them to play football. The allegations against him have been chilling, with an independent investigation revealing that he sexually abused at least 177 male athletes and students from the mid-1970s to the late 1990s. Disturbingly, it was found that coaches and administrators knew about the abuse but failed to act, allowing Strauss to continue his predatory behavior.
Ohio State University has been embroiled in legal battles since 2018, facing multiple lawsuits related to Strauss. As of mid-April, the university had settled with 317 survivors for over $61 million. However, the fight is far from over, as they still face five active lawsuits from 236 men alleging abuse.
In a statement regarding the latest developments, OSU spokesperson Benjamin Johnson claimed that the university has “sincerely and persistently tried to reconcile with survivors.” However, many survivors feel that the university’s efforts have fallen short, and the recent addition of these former NFL players to the lawsuit underscores the urgency of their demands for justice.
As the legal battle continues, one thing is clear: these former athletes are no longer staying silent. They are ready to confront the past and demand accountability for the horrors they endured. The time for change is now, and they are leading the charge.
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