COLUMBUS, Ohio — More than a dozen former NFL players have joined ongoing lawsuits against Ohio State University, accusing the institution of failing to protect them from sexual abuse by a longtime campus doctor decades ago. The allegations center on Dr. Richard Strauss, who served as the team's physician from 1978 to 1998 and has been accused of abusing hundreds of student-athletes during that period.
According to court filings in the Southern District of Ohio, the new plaintiffs include prominent former professional football players who were student-athletes at Ohio State in the 1980s and 1990s. They claim that Strauss performed unnecessary and invasive examinations that constituted sexual abuse, and that university officials were aware of the behavior but did nothing to stop it. The lawsuits, which seek damages for emotional distress and other harms, build on a wave of similar claims that have plagued the university since 2018.
Ohio State University has faced mounting legal pressure over the Strauss scandal, which first came to light through an independent investigation commissioned by the school in 2018. That probe, conducted by the law firm Perkins Coie, reviewed records and interviewed more than 200 individuals, concluding that Strauss had sexually abused at least 177 students over nearly two decades. The report detailed how Strauss groped athletes, conducted inappropriate genital exams, and even provided drugs in exchange for sexual acts, all while university staff looked the other way.
"These brave men are coming forward after years of silence, and their stories add to the growing body of evidence against Ohio State," said attorney Elizabeth Turner, who represents several of the plaintiffs in the consolidated cases. Turner, whose firm has been involved in the litigation since its early days, emphasized in a statement that the former NFL players' involvement underscores the scandal's reach into professional sports.
The addition of these high-profile athletes has intensified scrutiny on Ohio State, a powerhouse in college football with a storied history of producing NFL talent. Among the sports affected were wrestling, gymnastics, and football, where Strauss had unfettered access to young men pursuing their athletic dreams. Reports indicate that the abuse occurred in training rooms, dormitories, and even during routine medical checkups on campus in Columbus.
One of the plaintiffs, former Ohio State running back Robert Smith, who went on to a successful NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings, has been vocal about his experiences. In previous interviews, Smith described how Strauss's actions left lasting trauma, saying, "It wasn't just a doctor's visit; it was a violation that no one should endure." While Smith is not confirmed as part of this specific group of more than a dozen, his account aligns with the allegations now being formalized in court.
The university's response to the initial 2018 investigation was to apologize publicly and settle with some victims. Ohio State paid out $46.7 million to 162 claimants in 2022 as part of a global resolution, but dozens of lawsuits remain active. University spokesperson Benjamin Johnson stated in a recent email, "Ohio State deeply regrets the harm caused by Dr. Strauss and continues to cooperate fully with all legal proceedings." Johnson added that the school has implemented new safeguarding policies since the scandal broke.
Legal experts following the case point to the statute of limitations as a key battleground. Ohio's laws generally bar claims after two years, but plaintiffs argue that the abuse's nature delayed their awareness of the full extent of the harm. Federal courts have allowed many cases to proceed under exceptions for childhood sexual abuse, citing the psychological barriers to coming forward sooner.
This latest development comes amid a broader reckoning in college sports over historical abuses. Similar lawsuits have targeted institutions like Michigan State University in the Larry Nassar case and Penn State in the Jerry Sandusky scandal, highlighting systemic failures in protecting athletes. At Ohio State, the football program's prominence amplifies the stakes, with critics arguing that the drive for wins blinded administrators to warning signs.
Documents from the Perkins Coie report reveal that complaints about Strauss dated back to the 1980s, including a 1996 memo from then-athletics director Andy Geiger noting concerns about the doctor's conduct. Yet, Strauss was not removed from his role until 1998, and he continued part-time work at the university until his death by suicide in 2005. The report faulted multiple officials, including former team physician Dr. Ted Wainer, for ignoring red flags.
Victims' advocates have praised the courage of the former NFL players for speaking out, noting that their visibility could encourage others. "Professional athletes carry a stigma of invincibility, but these men are showing that no one is immune to this kind of trauma," said Scott Berkowitz, president of RAINN, the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. Berkowitz's group has provided support resources to many Ohio State survivors.
On the other side, some university defenders argue that the institution has taken accountability. In a 2019 op-ed in the Columbus Dispatch, former Buckeyes coach Earle Bruce wrote, "Ohio State has owned its mistakes and worked to make amends, but endless litigation only prolongs the pain." Bruce, who coached during part of Strauss's tenure, maintained that he was unaware of the specifics at the time.
The consolidated lawsuits now involve over 100 plaintiffs, with damages potentially reaching into the hundreds of millions. A status conference is scheduled for next month in federal court in Columbus, where judges will consider motions to dismiss and class certification. Attorneys for the plaintiffs are pushing for a trial to expose internal university emails and memos that they say prove a cover-up.
Beyond the courtroom, the scandal has reshaped Ohio State's athletic department. New protocols include mandatory reporting training for all staff and third-party oversight of medical exams. Athletic director Gene Smith, who has led the department since 2005, testified in depositions that the university's culture has evolved significantly, stating, "We will never let something like this happen again."
As the cases progress, the focus remains on justice for survivors. The involvement of former NFL stars not only bolsters the legal claims but also brings national attention to an issue that has simmered in Columbus for years. With discovery ongoing, more details are expected to emerge, potentially revealing additional layers to one of the most significant abuse scandals in college sports history.
For those affected, the path forward involves healing as much as litigation. Support groups have formed among Ohio State alumni, offering a space for shared stories. One survivor, speaking anonymously to local media, said, "Joining the lawsuit was terrifying, but it's the first step toward reclaiming my life." As the university continues to defend against these claims, the narrative of accountability versus institutional protection remains at the forefront.