Northwestern AD pushes back on 'tone deaf' T-shirt worn by staff - ESPN

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern athletics director Derrick Gragg pushed back against a T-shirt several football staff members wore at Wednesday's practice that supported former coach Pat Fitzgerald, calling it «inappropriate, offensive and tone deaf.»

The T-shirts read: «Cats Against The World,» followed by «51,» the number Fitzgerald wore as a two-time national defensive player of the year at Northwestern in the mid-1990s. Gragg, who attended Wednesday's practice, said in a statement that neither he nor the university had been aware the shirts would be worn Wednesday, the first preseason practice open to the media.

Sources told ESPN that the T-shirts were made shortly after Fitzgerald's July 10 firing and had been worn during other team activities. A current Northwestern player was seen wearing the T-shirt in a photo shared on social media July 27 by wide receivers coach Armon Binns.

«I am extremely disappointed that a few members of our football program staff decided to wear 'Cats Against the World' t-shirts,» Gragg said in the statement. «Neither I nor the University was aware that they owned or would wear these shirts today. 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 allegations of hazing or any other misconduct.»

Wide receiver Bryce Kirtz said the T-shirts are a symbol of team unity amid a challenging time for the team. Current players and coaches have remained in contact with Fitzgerald, whose eldest son, Jack, is a freshman tight end on the team. Jack Fitzgerald has been working as a student assistant but