CSU-Pueblo, former football player Neal settle on lawsuit

Colorado State UniversityPueblo has agreed to pay former football player Grant Neal to settle a lawsuit in which he accused the university of falsely claiming he raped his girlfriend, according to a report by The Pueblo Chieftain.

In the lawsuit filed last year, Neal alleged that CSU-Pueblo acted against him because of gender bias against male athletes and the university’s selfinterest in its reputation. He sought monetary compensation and other noneconomical reparations for damaging his image and future prospects.

The investigation began in 2015 when the university received a tip from a student about the alleged incident. Neal was suspended indefinitely from school when it was concluded that he “engaged in nonconsensual sexual intercourse.”

Neal was not charged in court for rape or any other crime. Neal’s girlfriend did not accuse Neal of nonconsensual intercourse, and Neal said what took place was consensual.

A settlement was reached June 9 to resolve the matter, according to court documents obtained by The Chieftain. Both sides need until Friday to finalize the agreement. The details of the settlement have not been disclosed.

Neal, who was a fullback, played a key role on the ThunderWolves’ squad that won the 2014 NCAA Division II national title. He played 10 games for CSU-Pueblo in 2015 before being suspended.