More than a dozen former NFL players have joined a lawsuit against Ohio State University, alleging that they were sexually abused by campus doctor Richard Strauss decades ago. The lawsuit, which has been ongoing since 2018, now includes 30 former Ohio State football players, including prominent names like Al Washington, Ray Ellis, and Keith Ferguson, all of whom later played professionally. The plaintiffs allege that Strauss abused them under the guise of mandatory physicals.
Background and Legal Context
The lawsuit, initially led by former Ohio State wrestlers, has expanded to include football players. Attorney Rocky Ratliff, a former wrestler and survivor suing the school, confirmed that the football players have signed engagement letters to join the class action. The group includes players who went on to play for NFL teams such as the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, and former San Diego Chargers.
Plaintiffs' Statements
Al Washington, 67, who played for the New York Jets after Ohio State, told NBC News, '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.' He added, 'I love Ohio State, but I want Ohio State to take some accountability for what happened to us.'
Ohio State’s Response
Ohio State has been defending against these lawsuits since 2018, with the case currently in the Southern District of Ohio. The university has not yet issued a public response to the latest additions to the lawsuit.