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That school doctor sexually abused nearly 200 male student patients for decades. Erin Simonette is talking with the person who first blew the whistle on this. The number of victims only continues to grow. Former Ohio State students and athletes who claim they were sexually assaulted by university physician Richard Strauss. Now former Ohio State football captains and NFL players are coming forward in the fight for accountability after decades of pain and silence. The trauma of the last eight years for many of us is actually worse than the trauma we experienced attending Ohio State and the sexual abuse we encountered at the hands of this doctor. Michael DiSalle was the
first Strauss victim to make the physicians actions known. This week 30 former Ohio State football players signed on to the class action lawsuit. Of that 30, more than a dozen went on to play for the NFL. Some athletes joining the suit L Washington who went on to play for the Jets, Ray Ellis who played with the Browns and Eagles, and Keith Ferguson who played for the Chargers and Lions. I don't know many cases if at all where elite NFL players have spoken publicly about being sexually abused by their team doctor. We know it happened at Michigan. We know it happened here, but these three men are the first to put their name behind this case. Ohio State says the football program has already been listed
in the university's independent investigative report. They told us they sincerely and persistently tried to reconcile with survivors through settlements, counseling services, and medical treatment. The university has settled with 317 survivors for more than $61 million. DiSabato says more victims coming forward increases pressure on the university to strengthen its reconciliation efforts after he says survivors were ignored and dismissed by trustees. I want the university governance to um to actually step up and engage in meaningful um negotiations. If the university believes that this is just going to you know go away, um you know, sorry. We're here. Reporting on your side at Ohio State University, Aaron Simoncik, ABC 6 News.
Coming up at 6, what Ohio State football legends want the public to know amid this growing class action lawsuit. A class action lawsuit is growing. Several former Ohio State football players are now coming forward saying they also were sexually abused by Dr. Richard Strauss. The former football captains and NFL players say they're fighting for accountability after decades of silence and pain. Aaron Simoncik is pressing the university for answers. Thousands of students turning their tassels this weekend becoming Ohio State alumni. But the cloud of the Richard Strauss sex abuse scandal lingers over the university. 30 former Ohio State football players signed onto the class
action lawsuit. Some athletes joining the suit to Al Washington who went on to play for the Jets, Ray Ellis who played for the Browns and Eagles, and Keith Ferguson who played for the Chargers and Lions. Al Washington says 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. We are committed to seeing this through. The university's independent investigation only states it knew of three former football players that said they were abused. Michael Di Sabato says it's been a long 8 years since first bringing attention to the abuse.
It's been a lot of trauma, Aaron. it's not easy for uh survivors to tell their story publicly. Just my knowledge and speaking to athletes across multiple sports including football the university officials throughout the department knew exactly what was going down. We asked the university these questions wanting to know if they've been investigating any football staff who could have been made aware of Strauss's actions. What specific findings in the report involved the football program and if the university has expanded any aspect of its investigation since these new allegations emerged this week.
A university spokesperson tells me they have persistently tried to reconcile with those involved settling with 317 survivors for more than $61 million. I want the university governance to um to actually step up and engage in meaningful um negotiations. The current uh governance is led by John Zeigler uh the personal attorney of Leslie Wexner. Trial in the class action lawsuit is set to start this October halfway through Ohio State football season. Reporting on your side at The Ohio State University Aaron Simoncik ABC 6 News. Thanks for watching the ABC 6 News YouTube channel bringing you breaking news stories sports and original content throughout Central Ohio. Make sure to like and subscribe so you don't miss out.
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