Northwestern football players to skip Big Ten Media Days amid hazing scandal fallout

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Northwestern football will not have any players present at Big Ten Media Days this week in the wake of the program's hazing scandal.

In a joint statement, Bryce Gallagher, Rod Heard II and Bryce Kirtz confirmed they will skip the two-day event in Indianapolis. The athletes said they spoke with their family, teammates and interim coach David Braun before reaching their decision.

"This was very difficult since we were excited about the opportunity to participate in this great Big Ten tradition, and to talk about the game we love and the season ahead," Gallagher, Heard and Kirtz said Tuesday.

The players also said their attendance had the potential to bring unwanted attention.

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Northwestern football players Bryce Gallagher, Rod Heard II and Bryce Kirtz confirmed they will not attend Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis this week as the program is investigated for hazing. (Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

"But given the recent events involving the Northwestern football program, we did not want our participation to be dominated by the hazing issue and steal the focus away from football and the upcoming season. We are proud members of the NU football program and want our on-field performance and off-field conduct to always reflect the values of the university and our fans."

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The scandal resulted in the firing of head coach Pat Fitzgerald on July 10 and the silence of Northwestern players over the past couple of weeks.

Braun backed the players' decision to sit out of this week's