Thirty former Ohio State football players have joined a class action lawsuit against the university, alleging sexual abuse by former doctor Richard Strauss. This group includes notable ex-players and aims to increase visibility for survivors of abuse.
Key points
Thirty former Ohio State football players join lawsuit
Al Washington, Ray Ellis, and Keith Ferguson are notable plaintiffs
Plaintiffs allege sexual abuse by Richard Strauss
The lawsuit aims to increase visibility for survivors
Previous settlements have been made with other Strauss survivors
Mentioned in this story
Ohio State UniversityRichard Strauss
Al WashingtonRay EllisKeith Ferguson
Thirty former Ohio State University football players, including ex-team captains and NFL veterans, have come forward to join legal efforts against the university over sexual abuse by former OSU doctor Richard Strauss.
The former players, who each said they were a survivor of abuse by Strauss, have committed to joining the class action lawsuit, according to attorney Rocky Ratliff.
The new group of plaintiffs includes three members of the 1980 Rose Bowl team: Al Washington, Ray Ellis and Keith Ferguson, all of whom played for coach Woody Hayes and went on to play some time in the NFL. Other OSU athletes have come forward before, but these new, high-profile plaintiffs could bring increased visibility to survivors.
Ellis, a native of Canton, was a team captain and played defensive back for seven years in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns. Ferguson was a team captain for the Buckeyes and played 10 seasons in the NFL as a defensive end for the San Diego Chargers and the Detroit Lions.
Ray Ellis, a former Ohio State football team captain who played defensive back for seven years in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns, is seen here in 2017 at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ellis has joined former OSU athletes who say they suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Dr. Richard Strauss.
Q&A
Who are the former Ohio State football players joining the lawsuit against Richard Strauss?
The lawsuit includes thirty former players, notably Al Washington, Ray Ellis, and Keith Ferguson, all of whom have alleged abuse by Richard Strauss.
What is the significance of the new plaintiffs in the Richard Strauss abuse lawsuit?
The inclusion of high-profile former players may enhance visibility and support for other survivors of abuse within the Ohio State community.
What role did Richard Strauss have at Ohio State University?
Richard Strauss was a doctor at Ohio State University who has been accused of sexually abusing numerous athletes during his tenure.
What legal actions have been taken against Ohio State University regarding Strauss?
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Ohio State University by former players alleging sexual abuse by Richard Strauss.
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Ray Ellis, a former Ohio State football team captain who played defensive back for seven years in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns, is seen here in 2017 at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ellis has joined former OSU athletes who say they suffered sexual abuse at the hands of Dr. Richard Strauss.
Washington’s 345 career tackles at Ohio State are eighth on the all-time list, just behind James Laurinaitis, the Buckeyes’ current linebackers coach and a College Football Hall of Fame inductee this year. Washington's son, Al Washington Jr., was the Buckeyes linebacker coach from 2019 to 2021 and is currently the linebackers coach for the Miami Dolphins.
Washington said in a media release that he did not initially come forward due to the shame associated with male-on-male sexual abuse and the fear of retaliation from the university.
Washington said the group stands in solidarity as former teammates who love the university and Hayes, who taught them to use their voices to pay it forward.
“Using our voices to pay forward in this situation is not easy, but we believe it is necessary to protect future athletes and to ensure accountability for what happened to us," Washington said. "We are committed to seeing this through – not only for ourselves, but for every survivor who has carried this burden in silence. We also feel a responsibility to defend the integrity of the program and Coach Hayes, who taught us about accountability, discipline, and doing what is right.”
In response, Ohio State University spokesperson Ben Johnson released this statement on May 7:
"Since 2018, Ohio State has sincerely and persistently tried to reconcile with survivors, including former football student-athletes, through monetary and non-monetary means, including settlements, counseling services and other medical treatment. As of April 15, the university has settled with 317 survivors, including former football student-athletes, for more than $61 million, and we remain actively engaged in mediation."
Ratliff, who is also a plaintiff suing over alleged Strauss abuse, said Ohio State continues to tout the number of settlements, but many victims are still suffering in silence.
"They have never put a single thought to how many are still out there," Ratliff said. "There are so many people out there and they’re not recognizing that at all."
Strauss worked at the university from 1978 to 1998 in the athletics department and in the student health center. During those two decades, he abused at least 177 male student patients, according to an independent investigation released by the university in 2019.
Investigators found university officials began receiving complaints and had knowledge of his misconduct as early as 1979, months after he arrived on campus. Survivors reported that Strauss fondled patients’ genitals and conducted genital or rectal exams even when they were unnecessary.
