Northwestern players reiterate support for ex-coach Pat Fitzgerald - ESPN

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern players on Wednesday declined to discuss the hazing allegations embroiling the program during the past month, but reiterated their support for each other and for former coach Pat Fitzgerald.

Offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian and several other staff members wore T-shirts at Wednesday's practice that read, «Cats Against The World» and displayed No. 51, worn by Fitzgerald as a two-time national defensive player of the year at Northwestern in the mid 1990s. Northwestern fired Fitzgerald on July 10, three days after concluding an investigation into hazing allegations by a former player that initially resulted in a two-week suspension for the school's all-time winningest coach. A current Northwestern player was seen wearing the T-shirt in a photo shared on social media last month by wide receivers coach Armon Binns.

"[Interim coach David Braun], he's been preaching that we should stick together, especially during a time like this," wide receiver Bryce Kirtz said. «The shirts are really a reminder, allowing us to stick together.»

Braun, the team's defensive coordinator who became interim coach days after Fitzgerald was fired, said his sole focus is supporting the current players and staff members and ensuring the upcoming season is a positive experience for them. He said of the T-shirts, «It certainly isn't my business to censor anyone's free speech.»

Speaking for the first time since Fitzgerald's firing, the players said they're focused on supporting each other and moving forward, despite 14 lawsuits from former players alleging hazing and other mistreatment within the program. No current or former players have been named in the lawsuits, and other than Fitzgerald, all coaches and support staff