Northwestern AD condemns 'tone deaf' T-shirts worn by football staff in support of fired Pat Fitzgerald

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More controversy swirls around the Northwestern Wildcats football team after coaches were seen wearing T-shirts at practice in support of head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who was fired last month due to hazing allegations in his program.

Fitzgerald clearly still has support in the Wildcats program as staffers were seen wearing T-shirts that read "Cats Against the World" with the No. 51 printed on them.

Offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian was among the group of coaching staff that was wearing the T-shirts, according to multiple reports.

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Interim head coach David Braun of the Northwestern Wildcats is seen at Big Ten football media days at Lucas Oil Stadium on July 26, 2023, in Indianapolis. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Fitzgerald wore No. 51 during his playing days at Northwestern, where he was a two-time All American and won Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 1995 and 1996. 

Northwestern Athletic Director Derrick Gragg released a statement on the matter, calling the T-shirts "tone deaf."

"I am extremely disappointed that a few members of our football program staff decided to wear ‘Cats Against the World’ T-shirts," Gragg’s statement reads via ESPN's Adam Rittenberg. "Neither I nor the University was aware that they owned or would wear these shirts today."

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"The shirts are inappropriate, offensive and tone deaf. Let me be crystal clear: 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