Sometimes it helps to be specific. This is from the NW newspaper article.
1. “Running”: Player was restrained by 8-10 players who would then hold him down and dry hump him in a dark locker room. The practice was especially prevalent during training camp.
Players were identified for “running” by the “Shrek clap”- clapping around the players head. At least one player said that Fitzgerald would make the motion during practices - generally when a Freshman made a mistake. There also is allegedly a video of a player doing the “Shrek Clap” around a player’s head during a game.
2. Players were forced to strip and perform acts - such as “bear crawling” or slingshotting themselves across a room with bands.
3. Center and QB were forced to engage in naked snaps. And I don’t mean in a shotgun formation.
4. “The carwash,” a player would stand naked at the entrance to the showers and spin around, forcing those entering the showers to “basically (rub) up against a bare-naked man.” Upon entering the showers, the player alleged that players set up a hose they connected to the shower to spray people.
According to the report that the article relied upon, these instances were “widespread”. While some accounts differed somewhat perceptually, the evidence was largely supported.
From what I understand the people who undertook the investigation are heavyweights in the field. They have done a lot of these.
If the allegations are true, the firing was justified. Whether or not Fitzgerald had actual knowledge. It’s his program and players do not act like that, unless they believe there is at least tacit approval from the top. At the very least, it’s a total lack of institutional control.
If the allegations are false, then Fitzgerald has a legitimate beef. So, let him prove it. I’d love to see Northwestern fight this. But as I indicated earlier, I highly doubt they will. They don’t want their dirty laundry continually aired in the press. They want to get this over with and move forward.
1. “Running”: Player was restrained by 8-10 players who would then hold him down and dry hump him in a dark locker room. The practice was especially prevalent during training camp.
Players were identified for “running” by the “Shrek clap”- clapping around the players head. At least one player said that Fitzgerald would make the motion during practices - generally when a Freshman made a mistake. There also is allegedly a video of a player doing the “Shrek Clap” around a player’s head during a game.
2. Players were forced to strip and perform acts - such as “bear crawling” or slingshotting themselves across a room with bands.
3. Center and QB were forced to engage in naked snaps. And I don’t mean in a shotgun formation.
4. “The carwash,” a player would stand naked at the entrance to the showers and spin around, forcing those entering the showers to “basically (rub) up against a bare-naked man.” Upon entering the showers, the player alleged that players set up a hose they connected to the shower to spray people.
According to the report that the article relied upon, these instances were “widespread”. While some accounts differed somewhat perceptually, the evidence was largely supported.
From what I understand the people who undertook the investigation are heavyweights in the field. They have done a lot of these.
If the allegations are true, the firing was justified. Whether or not Fitzgerald had actual knowledge. It’s his program and players do not act like that, unless they believe there is at least tacit approval from the top. At the very least, it’s a total lack of institutional control.
If the allegations are false, then Fitzgerald has a legitimate beef. So, let him prove it. I’d love to see Northwestern fight this. But as I indicated earlier, I highly doubt they will. They don’t want their dirty laundry continually aired in the press. They want to get this over with and move forward.