Pat Fitzgerald’s presence was once crisp to pass over despite the fact that he was once nowhere similar the grassland on Wednesday.

Some Northwestern assistants and team of workers participants paid tribute to the longtime schoolmaster and previous Wildcats megastar linebacker who was once fired terminating presen amid a hazing scandal. They wore twilight shirts with “Cats Against the World” and his impaired quantity “51” in crimson sort, a display of team spirit that may also appear slightly tone-deaf.

“My purpose and my intentionality is gonna be solely based on supporting these young men, supporting this staff, making sure that my actions align with making sure that this fall is an incredible experience for them,” meantime schoolmaster David Braun stated Wednesday later the primary apply detectable to media. “It certainly isn’t my business to censor anybody’s free speech.”

As for whether or not the shirts are tone-deaf? Braun stated he’s involved in supporting his gamers and team of workers.

Northwestern is dealing with greater than a batch court cases throughout more than one sports activities with allegations together with sexual abuse by way of teammates in addition to racist feedback by way of coaches and race-based attacks. The circumstances span from 2004 to 2022, and lawyers representing one of the vital athletes who’ve already sued say extra are coming.

Fitzgerald, who was once fired later 17 seasons, has maintained he had disagree wisdom of hazing inside his program. President Michael Schill and athletic Derrick Gragg have in large part restricted their people feedback to statements issued in information releases and, alternative than a handful of interviews, no longer replied questions from newshounds.

Avid gamers have been made to be had Wednesday for the primary life for the reason that allegations of hazing abuse surfaced. Linebacker Bryce Gallagher, defensive again Rod Heard II and receiver Bryce Kirtz expressed aid for Fitzgerald and defended the tradition of this system pace declining to speak about the particular allegations.

At the alternative hand, Gragg immune a commentary expressing sadness.

The Related Press contributed to this document.

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