UVA football player may never play again after serious hazing injuries
Claims he was required him to brawl with another first-year
Aidan Howard, recruited to the University of Virginia football team, filed a lawsuit on October 14th. He claims to be the victim of harassment by the other members of the football team since his arrival to the team in July of this year.
Although Howard was diagnosed with a learning disability, he claims to have endured bullying from the other teammates about his difficulty remembering the football plays. He then says he was informed in August of an initiation right requiring him to fight another first year student on the team.
He claims that not only fellow 100 teammates and other students were witness to this brawl, but also a coach watched this altercation. After the altercation, he was informed he had sustained a concussion. It was at this time his father pulled him from the team.
The University of Virginia granted him release from his national letter of intent, but only stated it was due to “conduct of others in the university.” When Howard returned to his hometown of Pittsburgh in an attempt to play for Robert Morris University, a physician informed him he had additionally sustained a broken orbital bone from the brawl.
Howard is presently seeking reparation for his injuries under Title IX, Rehabilitation Act, and Americans With Disabilities Act.