Ex-Northwestern Football Players Agree To Settlement In Hazing Lawsuits

EVANSTON, IL — Former Northwestern University football players have agreed to settle their lawsuits against the school that alleged abusive hazing, according to university officials.

On Monday night, Northwestern University released a statement stating the settlement documentation is currently being finalized.

Details about the terms of the settlement were not available, but a Northwestern spokesperson told Bloomberg Law the agreement "will fully resolve the student plaintiffs' claims." As part of the settlement, the former players have agreed to drop all claims against the school and former head coach Pat Fitzgerald.

The lawsuits were filed in 2023, when the ex-players alleged they experience violent hazing and sexual abuse while playing for the Wildcats. Fitzgerald was fired in July 2023 after an outside investigation claimed coaches may have looked the other way.

At the time, university President Michael Schill said the hazing was an open secret in the program.

"The hazing was well-known by many in the program, though the investigator failed to find any credible evidence that Coach Fitzgerald himself knew about it," Schill said in the 2023 statement.

The former coach maintains that he was never aware of the hazing and filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Northwestern, claiming a breach of contract. Fitzgerald's wrongful termination lawsuit against the university remains and is set to go to trial on Nov. 3.

Earlier:

• 2 More Former Northwestern Football Players Sue Over Hazing Allegations
• Northwestern Hazing Lawsuits Start Of 'College Sports' Me Too Movement,' Plaintiff's Attorney Says
• Northwestern Fires Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald Over Hazing Scandal