30 Former Ohio State Football Players Join Class Action Lawsuit Against Ohio State For Richard Strauss Sexual Abuse

Thirty former Ohio State football players have joined the Richard Strauss sex abuse class action lawsuit, alleging the late university doctor sexually abused them during their time with the Buckeyes, according to multiple reports.

The group marks the first time former Ohio State football players have publicly come forward in the case, which has largely been led by former wrestlers during the ongoing eight-year legal battle against the university.

Among the former players involved are members of Ohio State’s 1980 Rose Bowl team, including Al Washington Sr., Ray Ellis and Keith Ferguson.

Former Ohio State wrestler Mike DiSabato announced the group’s involvement in a press release on Thursday. The former players are seeking accountability from the university over allegations that Ohio State failed to protect students from Strauss.

“We stand together in solidarity as former teammates and Buckeyes who love our university and the legacy of Coach Woody Hayes. Coach Hayes always preached to us to ‘Pay Forward.’ 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,” Washington Sr. said in the release. “We are committed to seeing this through — not only for ourselves, but for every survivor who has carried this burden in silence. We also feel a responsibility to defend the integrity of the program and Coach Hayes, who taught us about accountability, discipline and doing what is right.”

Former Ohio State wrestler and attorney Rocky Ratliff announced Thursday he would represent the group of 30 that signed engagement letters to join the lawsuit.

Strauss, a former Ohio State physician, worked at the university from 1978-98. He retired in 1998 and died by suicide in 2005.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, as of April 16, Ohio State had settled with 317 former survivors since March 2020.