Thirty former Ohio State University football players, including more than a dozen who later played in the NFL, have joined a class action lawsuit alleging decades-old sexual abuse by campus doctor Richard Strauss. This significant development expands the ongoing legal battle, which had previously been led mainly by former college wrestlers, and brings new attention to the university’s flagship football program.

Former Buckeyes Al Washington, Ray Ellis, and Keith Ferguson, each of whom went on to professional football careers, are among the prominent names now participating in the suit. The athletes allege they were abused by Strauss under the guise of medical exams required to play for Ohio State.

The legal effort, which has spanned eight years, accuses Ohio State of failing to protect students from Strauss, who worked as a team physician and associate director of sports medicine from 1978 to 1996. An independent investigation found that Strauss sexually abused at least 177 male athletes and students, while coaches and administrators did not act to stop him. Strauss died by suicide in 2005.

Attorney Rocky Ratliff, himself a former Ohio State wrestler and Strauss survivor, confirmed he is representing the 30 football players. “They signed up under me, but eventually they will be part of the class action lawsuit,” Ratliff said in comments to NBC News.

In a statement coordinated by former wrestler Mike DiSabato, Washington said, “We stand together in solidarity as former teammates and Buckeyes who love our university… Using our voices to pay forward in this situation is not easy, but we believe it is necessary to protect future athletes and to ensure accountability for what has happened to us.”

Since 2018, more than 520 former Ohio State students have filed lawsuits related to Strauss. The university has settled with 317 survivors for over $61 million, but at least five active lawsuits remain, involving more than 200 additional men.

The lawsuits continue to generate pressure on Ohio State, including renewed calls to remove the name of billionaire donor Les Wexner from athletic facilities and further scrutiny of former university officials. A bellwether trial in the ongoing litigation is scheduled for October.

Manny Munoz