A former Texas Christian University football player’s lawsuit alleging systemic abuse by football coach Gary Patterson and the university continues to grow.
According to a report from the Star Telegram, five former TCU players have been added to Kolby Listenbee’s suit, including stories of abuse from Lonta Hobbs, Ed Wesley, David Johnson, Stansly Maponga and Cameron White.
Listenbee is accusing the school and its football program of “systemic abuse,” which included verbal abuse and pressuring athletes to play through injuries. The lawsuit alleges that TCU football coaches "keep the diagnosing and treating of their players 'in house' with the TCU team physicians.” The suit also alleges that TCU coaches believe the team physicians are easily manipulated to clear players for action when "an outside physician could not be swayed as easily."
From AB: Ex-Receiver Sues TCU, Big 12 Over Injury Protocols
Listenbee also claims that TCU lacks an orthopedic physician, as well as any radiology equipment. "The systematic scheme allows injured players to receive subpar treatment for their serious injuries, gives the coaches premature return-to-play decision when serious injury or harm could be caused, and creates an inherent conflict of interest," the lawsuit states.
The new charges added to the report documents instances where the newly named players were either pressured to play when injured or were not provided adequate medical care. In one such instance, David Johnson had sprained his ankle and was told by a position coach, "In your career, you will never play at 100 percent. You will always be hurt. And if you can’t do that, we don’t have a place for you here."
Listenbee is seeking $1 million in damages.
