Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge and Romanucci & Blandin Share New Allegations and Name New Defendant in Cases of Northwestern University Football Team Hazing

Civil lawsuits filed on behalf of two former players and more to come

CHICAGO (August 3, 2023) – Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge and Romanucci & Blandin together announce the filing of two lawsuits on behalf of former Northwestern University Football Players, including new allegations of race-based hazing against one Plaintiff. At least one other similar suit is expected to be filed in the coming days.

Both complaints are filed as “John Doe” cases to protect the identities of the Plaintiffs, each of whom played during the 2004-2005 NCAA Division I-A football seasons.  The complaints include new details of race-based hazing and discrimination not included in lawsuits currently filed on behalf of other players, including allegations of Black players having been forced to participate in a “watermelon eating contest.” Further, at the time of that incident, Patrick Fitzgerald was a Recruiting Coordinator and Linebackers Coach for Northwestern, and approximately six years out from his own experience as a player at the university, which attorneys have indicated is evidence that Fitzgerald knew of this abuse not only through his own role as a player but, also, as a coach and active recruiter of players. These lawsuits are also the first to name former Northwestern University Athletic Director Mark Murphy as a Defendant. Notably, Murphy now serves as the President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers NFL team.

The complaints include counts for Negligence and Willful and Wanton Conduct as to Northwestern, and counts for Negligence as to the following: (1) Patrick Fitzgerald, who served as Northwestern’s Linebackers Coach from 2001 to 2005 and Head Coach from 2006 to 2023; (2) Henry S. Bienen, who was Northwestern’s President from 1995 to 2009; (3) Mark Murphy, who was Northwestern’s Athletic Director from 2003 to 2007; and (4) the Northwestern Board of Trustees.

The cases were filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County Illinois, Law Division. Defendants in these cases include Northwestern University, Patrick Fitzgerald, Henry S. Bienen, Mark Murphy and the Northwestern University Board of Trustees.

Plaintiffs are represented by Partners Steven A. Hart, Brian Eldridge, and Attorney John Chwarzynski at Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge, and Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci, Partner Bhavani Raveendran and Attorney Javier Rodriguez, Jr. at Romanucci & Blandin, LLC.

“Northwestern Football has been a complete charade for decades, presenting itself as a highly prestigious institution while profiting from the marketing of its athletic programs, when in reality the University, Athletic Department and coaches looked the other way and permitted a culture of harassment, abuse, insensitivity and intolerance that had a direct negative impact on our clients,” said Steven A. Hart, Partner Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge.

“Our legal team is proud to represent these fine men who had deeply troubling experiences being hazed while on the football team at Northwestern University in 2004-2005. As we peel back the layers on this smelly onion, we can see how prolific the culture of hazing has been in this athletic program, going back at least twenty years, without the expected oversight and intervention from coaches, Athletic Department, Northwestern University officials or trustees,” said Antonio Romanucci, Founding Partner, Romanucci & Blandin.

“I always think about the haircutting situation we went through as freshmen. I wore a mini fro all throughout high school. Four years straight! I had it cut by an upperclassman in Kenosha against my will. It’s either have it cut or be hazed further for the entire camp. This psychologically haunts me 'till this day. I was depressed and treated unfairly,” said Plaintiff Joe Doe.

About Romanucci & Blandin, LLC

Romanucci & Blandin is a Chicago-based national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death. For 25 years, we have secured more than $850 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients - many for millions of dollars and others record-setting awards.  Our experience ranges from mass shootings, civil rights and police misconduct to medical malpractice, sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents or workplace injury cases involving individual or institutional negligence. Romanucci & Blandin is a valuable legal resource to individuals and groups of people who have been injured by others’ wrongdoing. Referring attorneys and clients say several factors differentiate our firm: Our record of success, depth of experience, talented and dedicated legal team, tireless preparation and strategic use of communications to fight for the rights of those whose lives have been changed forever. We are different from other personal injury firms in that our work does not stop when a verdict or settlement is secured.  We are often inspired by our clients’ experiences and commit resources to create change in our communities. For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit www.rblaw.net or call (312) 458-1000.

About Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge

Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge, LLC (“HME”) is a firm of trial lawyers specializing in civil rights, mass tort, and class action cases. The attorneys at HME practice on a nationwide basis in both federal and state courts and are actively involved in some of the largest and most significant cases in the country. HME attorneys are invested in the fight for justice and consistently take on cases to advance civil justice and equal rights. HME prides itself on winning complex cases, fiercely advocating for its clients, and being a driving force behind civil and social change in Chicago and throughout the country. HME’s civil rights practice includes cases involving wrongful convictions, wrongful shootings, police brutality, and unconstitutional policing.  HME has also successfully challenged police policies through civil rights and class action cases in both Illinois in elsewhere. For more information about Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge please visit www.hmelegal.com or call (312) 955-0545.