At Ohio State University, Dr. Richard Strauss sexually abused hundreds of college football players before going pro. The men previously played for teams such as the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and Cleveland Browns. Thirty men have signed engagement letters to join the lawsuit. The legal battle has lasted eight years, with former Ohio State wrestlers pushing OSU to be held accountable for the damages. The university has settled with 317 survivors for $61 million. The Ohio State sexual abuse lawsuit continues to develop. 

Attorney Rockey Ratliff

Rocky Ratliff, a former OSU wrestler and survivor, is suing the college. He is representing 30 football players. In a statement, Ratliff said, “They are tearful and living with it.” Ratliff added, “They needed to overcome the shame of revealing that they’d been sexually abused by another man and the fear of taking on the university publicly.” Three of the 30 men have consented to have their names made public. These men are Al Washington, Ray Ellis, and Keith Ferguson, all of whom played on the 1980 Rose Bowl team, coached by the iconic Woody Hayes. Ratliff was a wrestler at OSU during the 1990s.

Al Washington

Washington played in the NFL and the CFL and later achieved his degree in economics from OSU. His son, Al Washington Junior, served as the linebackers coach from 2019 to 2021 under current head coach Ryan Day. Washington has been present in recent rallies for survivors. In a statement, he said, “We stand together in solidarity as former teammates and Buckeyes who love our university and the legacy of Coach Woody Hayes.” In that same statement, he said, “Coach always preached to us to pay it forward. Using our voices to pay forward in this situation is not easy. Still, we believe it is necessary to protect future athletes and to ensure accountability for what happened to us.”

Ray Ellis

Ellis spent five years with the Philadelphia Eagles and two with the Cleveland Browns. He recorded 14 interceptions and three sacks during his seven NFL seasons. Ellis is now 67 years old. 

End Of Ohio State Rant: What This Means For Future Athletics

This case can help athletes at all colleges feel heard and that what happens to them matters. It can help create new laws governing what doctors should and shouldn’t do to make players more comfortable, not just in college but also in high school and other athletic settings. More than 30 men voicing their stories about the sexual abuse can also break barriers for future survivors. No matter the race or location, more men might feel comfortable speaking out publicly.