(BCSNN) — More bad news for the Buckeyes hoping to sweep decades of sexual abuse allegations under the rug as Thirty former Ohio State football players, including several former NFL players, have joined a federal lawsuit against the university over sexual abuse by a team doctor, an attorney in the case said.
Attorney Rocky Ratliff said the men came forward roughly eight years after the first lawsuit was filed, describing the difficulty many faced in publicly acknowledging that they had been sexually abused by another man and in challenging the university.
“They are tearful and living with it,” Ratliff said. “But as this case progresses on, they see how Ohio State’s treating athletes from the university, and I think they want people to know it’s OK, even if it is male to male [sexual abuse], to come forward.”
Ohio State has faced federal lawsuits since 2018 from former student‑athletes alleging the university failed to stop abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss, who worked at the school from 1978 to 1998. Hundreds have said they were abused by Strauss, who died in 2005.
Ratliff said the 30 men have signed letters of agreement to join an existing lawsuit filed by other former student‑athletes who say they were victims of Strauss. Of the 30, only Al Washington, Ray Ellis and Keith Ferguson have agreed to make their identities public, he said. All three played on the 1980 Rose Bowl team and were recruited by and played for Woody Hayes. Ratliff said some other former football players have settled with the university in sealed agreements that kept their names confidential.
In a statement, Ohio State said it 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.” The university said that as of April 15, it had settled with 317 survivors for more than $61 million and remains engaged in mediation.
Washington said discussing the abuse has been difficult and recalled undergoing “unlawful” physical exams by Strauss when he was 18 or 19. He said he and teammates tried to joke about the experiences at the time, despite the discomfort.
“But it was really uncomfortable,” said Washington, now 67.
He said he did not talk about the abuse for decades, but the 2025 documentary “Surviving Ohio State” brought the memories back. “As a matter of fact, I couldn’t make it through that movie,” he said. “The pain and anguish that I saw, I just couldn’t take it.”
Strauss served on the faculty and medical staff at Ohio State and retired in 1998 with emeritus status. The university’s trustees revoked that status three years ago.
Washington was drafted in 1981 by the New York Jets and played one season. Ellis, a former defensive back, played seven NFL seasons from 1981 to 1987 with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns. Ferguson, a former defensive end, played in the NFL from 1981 to 1990, including with the Lions of Detroit and Chargers of San Diego.
