Eight former Northwestern football players have retained a prominent civil rights and injury attorney in the wake of the hazing scandal that has embroiled the Wildcats' program and led to the dismissal of longtime coach Pat Fitzgerald.
"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," attorney Ben Crump said in a statement. Crump rose to national prominence following George Floyd's murder in 2020 by representing several families in cases of alleged police brutality.