Northwestern hazing scandal: Ramon Diaz details allegations, files lawsuit
EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) -- Another former Northwestern football player said he was hazed and sexually abused while on the team.
The latest former Northwestern football player to file suit against the school, Ramon Diaz, had spoken to ABC7 previously about his experiences in the program in the mid-2000s.
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"My experience at Northwestern haunts me to this day. I never will forget the treatment I experienced for those four years," Diaz said. "An institution that enables coaches to destroy the self-worth of an athlete must be held accountable. No one stopped it. I think that's worth repeating again and again."
In addition to some of the alleged sexual hazing, such as what Diaz said was called the "car wash," which he said involved walking naked through a line of teammates into the showers, he also alleged racist hazing that started when he was a freshman at the school.
He said coaches made frequent references to his Mexican cultural background. He said he was forced to shave the words "Cinco de Mayo" into his head while teammates watched.
"You insulted my family's cultural heritage. You said even though your family grew up on dirt floors, we don't live like that here," he said.
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Diaz said he suffered psychological trauma that led him to attempt suicide while he was a student. Because of the experience he said he can't even watch football games.
The latest lawsuit was filed by attorneys Wednesday morning.
"This was a culture that was tolerated within the athletic department that's unacceptable and disgusting," said attorney Parker Stinar.
The attorneys said they are hopeful Northwestern's announcement it has hired former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to review the school's athletic department will help the school eradicate hazing and discrimination.
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"I mean, look, this has been really hard for the entire Northwestern community," said Steven Block, former federal prosecutor and Nothwestern alum. "I'm on a regular text thread with college friends, and this is all we've been talking about for weeks, as the news trickles out day by day. So I, for one, am gratified the university is taking this approach. Sunlight is often the best disinfectant."
"This is an institution that's been there for, what, 100 and 150 years or so. They have to take the long view here. It can't just be about money and legal exposure. It has to be about their reputation and integrity and how they go forward. So I think it's been a public relations problem and a legal problem," Block added.
Northwestern released a statement Wednesday afternoon saying the university is committed to doing whatever is necessary to addressing hazing-related issues, and they are currently reviewing the allegations brought by Diaz.
