Full Breakdown
Former Ohio State Football Stars Join Class Action Over Dr. Richard Strauss Abuse
5/8/2026, 12:54:18 AM
New Plaintiffs Amplify Long-standing Strauss Lawsuit
Thirty former Ohio State University football players—including NFL veterans Al Washington, Ray Ellis and Keith Ferguson—have signed engagement letters to join the class-action suit filed against the university for alleged sexual abuse by former team physician Dr. Richard Strauss. The plaintiffs will be added to the existing Gonzales v. Ohio State case, which already represents hundreds of survivors.
Background: Strauss Abuse and University Response
Dr. Strauss served as the Buckeyes’ associate director of sports medicine from 1978 to 1998. An independent Perkins Coie investigation released in May 2019 concluded that Strauss sexually abused at least 177 male students, including 48 wrestlers, 16 gymnasts and three football players. University officials began receiving complaints as early as 1979, yet the abuse continued for two decades. Strauss died by suicide in 2005. Since 2018, more than 520 former students have filed lawsuits; the university has settled with 317 survivors for over $61 million while 236 men remain in five active federal suits.
Key Plaintiffs and Their Motivations
The three former Buckeyes were members of the 1980 Rose Bowl team coached by Woody Hayes. Washington, now a licensed insurance agent, said he delayed speaking out to protect his son, former Ohio State linebackers coach Al Washington Jr., who currently coaches for the Miami Dolphins. “When you play football, you encounter obstacles, and when I was a Buckeye, I decided not to let what happened to me defeat me, so I kept quiet,” Washington told NBC News. The players say they aim to protect future athletes and restore the program’s integrity.
Legal Landscape and Ongoing Litigation
Attorney Rocky Ratliff, a former OSU wrestler and plaintiff, confirmed the new sign-ups will be absorbed into the existing class action rather than filing a separate case. A bellwether trial for the broader Strauss litigation is scheduled for October 2026. Plaintiffs have also named 23 former university officials—including four former athletic directors—as “appropriate persons” under Title IX, arguing the school bears responsibility for failing to act.
Data & Statistics
- Strauss abuse victims identified: >= 177 (Perkins Coie)
- Sport breakdown: 48 wrestlers, 16 gymnasts, 3 football players
- Lawsuits filed: > 520 survivors
- Settlements paid: $61 million to 317 survivors
- Active suits: 5 federal cases covering 236 men (some reports cite 209 remaining)
- New football plaintiffs: 30 former players, three of whom were 1980 Rose Bowl captains
Official Statements & Responses
Ohio State spokesperson Ben Johnson said the university “has sincerely and persistently tried to reconcile with survivors…through monetary and non-monetary means, including settlements, counseling services and other medical treatment.” The school has not yet responded to requests to remove billionaire donor Les Wexner’s name from the football facility, despite more than 500 petitions. Plaintiffs’ attorney Ratliff emphasized that many survivors “are still suffering in silence.”
Criticism, Opposition, and Calls for Change
Survivors and advocacy groups demand the removal of Wexner’s name, citing his ties to Jeffrey Epstein and his role as board chair during the early Strauss investigations. Depositions from former athletic director Andy Geiger suggest Rep. Jim Jordan likely knew of the abuse, a claim Jordan’s spokesperson denies, stating “Chairman Jordan never saw or heard of any abuse, and if he had, he would have dealt with it.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the number of active plaintiffs: one report lists 236 men in five lawsuits, while another cites 209 remaining after settlements. The total count of Strauss victims also varies, with some outlets describing “hundreds” while the Perkins Coie report specifies 177. Precise details of internal communications among university officials remain undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When you play football, you encounter obstacles, and when I was a Buckeye, I decided not to let what happened to me defeat me, so I kept quiet,” — Al Washington, former linebacker and NFL veteran
- “I didn’t want him to be penalized for something that affected me,” — Al Washington
- “These three players are the first football athletes to publicly stand, to be recognized publicly as plaintiffs in the case,” — Michael DiSabato, former wrestler and plaintiff
- “So, I think these guys are coming forward to make sure the people understand male-on-male sexual abuse. You don't have to sit in silence and suffer on that,” — Rocky Ratliff, plaintiffs’ attorney
- “As has been stated repeatedly, Chairman Jordan never saw or heard of any abuse, and if he had, he would have dealt with it,” — Spokesperson for Rep. Jim Jordan
- “Since 2018, Ohio State has sincerely and persistently tried to reconcile with survivors, including former football student-athletes, through monetary and non-monetary means, including settlements, counseling services and other medical treatment,” Ben Johnson, a university spokesperson, said in an email.” — Ben Johnson, Ohio State spokesperson
What’s Next
The October 2026 bellwether trial will test liability arguments and may influence settlement negotiations. A federal judge has already ordered Les Wexner to sit for a deposition, and the university faces continued pressure to address the Wexner-name petitions and to disclose additional internal documents related to the Strauss scandal.
