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Northwestern football players have decided not to attend this week’s Big Ten Media Days. The decision comes amid a turbulent offseason as the program battles serious hazing allegations.
Wildcat players released a statement on the no-show a day before the event’s kickoff, sparking an immediate reaction from the college football world.
This offseason, the nation was rocked by a scandal that cited hazing, sexual assault, and even racism within the Northwestern locker room. Those accusations led to the firing of longtime head coach Pat Fitzgerald and opened up a can of worms with other teams in the athletic department.
Fitzgerald released a statement on a dismissal he deems unjust, but despite having support from a number of current players, it doesn’t look like he’ll be walking the sidelines in 2023.
David Braun has been named his replacement in the interim, and he’s made his first major decision as coach.
The Northwestern Wildcats won’t be represented by players at Big Ten Media Days. Braun said in a statement that the choice was on the team, but that he respects both “their reasoning and the decision itself.”
Statement from Interim Head Football Coach David Braun pic.twitter.com/DKyCORBgi6
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) July 25, 2023
Players released a statement of their own on Tuesday, too, elaborating on the verdict.
“After talking with our parents, our teammates, and Coach Braun, we have made the decision to not attend Big Ten Media Days,” the team note read.
“Given the recent events involving the Northwestern football program, we did not want our participation to be dominated by the hazing issue and steal the focus away from football and the upcoming season.
That letter was signed by the three players previously selected to represent the Wildcats in Indianapolis. While this is certainly an uncommon offseason situation, not many college football fans were shocked by the news.
Sports world reacts to Northwestern’s Big Ten Media Days decision.
Many quickly posted responses to the statements on social media.
Some called it the smartest decision they could’ve made.
Literally the smartest move y’all have made yet.
— Boiler In Texas (@BoilerInTexas) July 25, 2023
Others believe the AD and school president should be the ones going in their place.
Good.
There’s zero reason for these players – and/or their interim head coach – to face a press conference before the university president and athletic director do.
— Dave Feit (@FeitCanWrite) July 25, 2023
“Translation: No adults at our school have taken questions in a public forum yet so why should we?” one person wrote.
Translation: No adults at our school have taken questions in a public forum yet so why should we? https://t.co/9CRkcU0yqI
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) July 25, 2023
A few followers even gave their suggestions for replacement attendees.
College football writer Pat Forde said, “Send some of the assistant coaches who kept their jobs in the players’ place.”
Send some of the assistant coaches who kept their jobs in the players’ place. https://t.co/D1ETR4Hgam
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) July 25, 2023
Stuart Mandel agrees, saying he doesn’t blame the Wildcat players.
Given their AD hasn’t yet spoken to the media, I can’t say I blame these players for declining to spend the day taking bullets for him and the administration. https://t.co/JC32peFXRY
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) July 25, 2023
Coach Braun will still attend the event without his team. The Wildcat players will now turn their attention to the season opener against Rutgers.