EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern University athletic director Derrick Gragg criticized assistant football coaches and staff members for wearing shirts supporting fired coach Pat Fitzgerald at practice Wednesday, calling them “inappropriate, offensive and tone deaf” given the hazing and abuse scandal engulfing the program and other teams.
“Let me be crystal clear,” he said in a released statement. “Hazing has no place at Northwestern, and we are committed to do whatever is necessary to address hazing-related issues, including thoroughly investigating any incidents or allegations of hazing or any misconduct.”
Gragg said he and the university were unaware that staff members owned the black shirts with “Cats Against the World” and Fitzgerald’s old number “51” in purple type or would wear them at practice. He issued the statement after interim coach David Braun called it a matter of free speech and said his focus was on supporting his players and staff rather than whether the shirts were tone deaf.
Three players expressed support for Fitzgerald and defended the culture of the program Wednesday after the Wildcats’ first practice open to the media. It was the first time since the hazing allegations surfaced that Northwestern players were made available to reporters.
“The shirts were really just a reminder to allow us to stick together,” receiver Bryce Kirtz said.