Penn State University football coach James Franklin allegedly forced former player Isaiah Humphries out of the program after he reported violent, sexual hazing by other members of the team, according to a lawsuit filed Monday.

The lawsuit names the university, Franklin and ex-teammate Damion Barber as defendants in the case. In the suit, Humphries also claims players Micah Parsons, Yetur Gross-Matos and Jesse Luketa facilitated a campaign to harass and haze the underclassmen.

Players made unwanted sexual contact and threats such as, “I am going to Sandusky you,” Humphries claims in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit states the abuse resulted in Humphries giving up his football scholarship at Penn State and transferring to the University of California. Humphries is now seeking unspecified financial damages for the harm it caused to his football career, along with severe physical and emotional distress.

On Tuesday, Penn State said in a statement that the university’s Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response, Office of Student Conduct and Penn State Police all investigated Humphries’ allegations. Police forwarded the case to the Centre County District Attorney’s office, which decided not to pursue criminal charges.

Humphries’ attorney, Steven F. Marino of Philadelphia, also represents a former team doctor who is suing Penn State.  

According to the suit, the hazing occurred at several campus locations and was allegedly witnessed by members of the coaching staff, who failed to put a stop to the abuse. Upperclassmen allegedly told new players they were “their (expletive) because this is a prison” and made threatening statements such as, “I am going to (expletive) you.”

Comments about former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky seemed to be a focal point of the abuse, with the lawsuit noting comments such as “I am going to Sandusky you,” and “This is Jerry.”

Sandusky was arrested in 2011 after county prosecutors sought testimony from Mike McQueary, the former assistant football coach who said he saw Sandusky molest a boy in a campus locker room shower in 2001. Sandusky was found guilty on 45 counts of child sexual abuse and is now serving a 30- to 60-year prison sentence.

If you believe you have been sexually assaulted or injured by the harassment of another, Marino Associates can help.Use the free case evaluation form  or call 215-462-3200 to speak to one of our expert attorneys who will give you immediate answers to important questions.