Ole Miss football player sues Lane Kiffin over alleged lack of mental health care, seeks $40 million

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An Ole Miss football player is suing coach Lane Kiffin and the school, alleging they are responsible for his ailing mental health.

DeSanto Rollins filed the suit Thursday, claiming Kiffin, members of the coaching staff and other employees of the university showed "reckless disregard" for his anxiety, and he is seeking $40 million.

An Ole Miss spokesman told ESPN Thursday night the school hadn't received the lawsuit and that Rollins was still on the team. The current roster lists Rollins.

"We have not received a lawsuit. DeSanto was never removed from the football team and remains on scholarship," the school told the outlet. "In addition, he continues to have the opportunity to receive all of the resources and advantages that are afforded a student-athlete at the university."

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DeSanto Rollins of the Mississippi Rebels during a game against the Troy Trojans at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Sept. 3, 2022, in Oxford, Miss. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Kiffin referred ESPN to the school's statement.

Ole Miss didn't immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

In 2022, Rollins suffered two injuries — to an Achilles and a knee — that caused him "severe depression" that "substantially limited his ability to perform" regular daily activities. Rollins alleges he was not referred for a mental health evaluation when he also suffered a concussion before both of those injuries.

The suit says Rollins was "unaware of a need for a mental health evaluation or a mental health referral" because the school and football program failed to provide him with "mental health educational materials."

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