Northwestern Football Scandal: Northwestern’s mascot is a cat, so the “Cats” shirt. Sports team scandals were mentioned. “Despite the seriousness, it’s disappointing that Northwestern University and its football program haven’t shown sincere commitment,” said Steve Levin, who filed claims for eight former Northwestern football players with civil rights lawyer Ben Crump. Levin’s USA TODAY Sports response is typical.
The July 10 hazing controversy cost Pat Fitzgerald his coaching job. Everyone is cautious. Over 1.71 million people immediately saw Northwestern student Bradley Locker’s X app photo.
Locker’s photo caption revealed a distressing fact: some Northwestern coaches, like offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian, wore ‘Cats Against the World’ shirts with Pat Fitzgerald’s old jersey number 51. Northwestern football star Fitzgerald. He defended well in the ’90s.
Northwestern coaches were angry. “I’m upset that football staff wore ‘Cats Against the World’ T-shirts,” said Derrick Gregg, VP of athletics and leisure. Gregg told USA TODAY Sports that the institution strongly opposed the concept.
Gregg and the school were unaware of the shirts. He called the clothes disrespectful, insensitive, and inappropriate. Gregg said the school would investigate hazing situations thoroughly.
Jon Yates, the university’s VP of global marketing and publicity, has yet to respond. Yates didn’t respond when asked about instructions or acts related to teachers’ attire.
Hazing history worsened it. Over ten ex-athletes shared sexualized bullying experiences. The group hired a law firm to investigate.
The Daily Northwestern covered bullying on July 8. Bradley Locker, Inside NU’s co-editor-in-chief and Northwestern Class of 2025 member popularized CATW shirts.
Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. attorney Parker Stinar made a good point in this conversation. Stinar, who supported these football players, said they were thrilled to wear Northwestern’s colors. The university’s policies caused racism, bigotry, and bullying, but pride doesn’t disguise it.
Stinar suggests focusing on victims in “Survivors vs. the World” instead of villains. This would start a new era where individuals take responsibility for past wrongs and work for a fairer and more open future.
