(Photo: Kevin W. Fowler, Lansing State Journal)
Head coach Mark Dantonio fired Curtis Blackwell from the Michigan State University football program not because of his performance, but because Blackwell is black, a new lawsuit alleges.
Blackwell, already suing Dantonio and MSU in federal court, filed the new lawsuit in Wayne County Circuit Court on Tuesday. He is suing for breach of contract and violations of the state's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. He is looking for an unspecified monetary judgement.
More: Mark Dantonio accused of perjury in Curtis Blackwell's lawsuit over Michigan State football
Blackwell held his position under Dantonio from 2013 until his contract was allowed to expire May 31, 2017, following two one-month extensions.