CSU pauses all football activities amid allegations of racism and verbal abuse

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Here we go again.

Just days after school president Joyce McConnell launched an independent investigation into the program’s COVID-19 procedures, Joe Parker (AD) released a statement announcing that the program is now looking into allegations of racism and verbal abuse.

“Today, we learned of some extremely troubling allegations of racism and verbal abuse from CSU’s athletic administration generally and in the football program specifically.

Colorado State University is committed to being an anti-racist university, and we will not tolerate any behavior or climate that goes against that core value. Moreover, CSU Athletics is committed to the health and well-being of student-athletes above all other priorities, and this includes their mental health.  We believe it is our responsibility to make sure that all student-athletes feel welcomed and valued as members of an inclusive athletics community.

I have consulted with President McConnell about these new allegations, which obviously deeply concern her as well.  Effective immediately, and for the best interests of our student-athletes, I am pausing all football-related activities indefinitely.  This includes practices, workouts, and team meetings.  I have also asked President McConnell to expand the independent investigation she announced on Tuesday to include a comprehensive review of our athletic department and football program specifically related to allegations of racism and verbal abuse. While we have been working hard towards playing football this fall, the holistic well-being of our student-athletes is our unequivocal top priority.  We must and will address these allegations before we focus on playing football.”

Shortly after the statement was made public by a university spokesperson, Kevin Lytle of the Coloradoan tweeted out that the publication had recently reached out for comment on allegations of racial insensitivity and verbal abuse from both current and former players.

Once that story is published, we will have a better understanding of what Parker’s statement is referencing specifically but it’s safe to say that it’s been a brutal week for Rams football.

Finally, while this statement is extremely alarming, it should also be noted that just like they did with the alleged COVID-19 protocol violations, multiple current players have tweeted out that these allegations of racial insensitivity and verbal abuse are false.