Ex- player sues Virginia
A former receiver at the University of Virginia filed a federal lawsuit against the school, alleging he was forced to fight a teammate to prove his manliness.
The lawsuit, which was filed this month in federal court in Pennsylvania, alleges Aidan Howard was harassed and bullied by his teammates because of his learning disability and was called ‘‘ slow’’ and ‘‘ retarded’’ in front of coaches when he couldn’t quickly comprehend plays.
The suit also alleges Howard suffered a broken eye socket when he was forced to fight another firstyear player in August as part of a team initiation. The complaint says a graduate assistant for the Cavaliers witnessed the fight, but no one tried to stop it. Howard left the school shortly after the incident.
The complaint says the hazing was done primarily by receivers Doni Dowling and David Eldridge. In addition to making fun of Howard for his learning disability, it says the two would make him eat his lunch and dinner alone ‘‘ because he was not as tough and manly as others within the football program.’’
A university spokesman said in an email that the school is ‘‘ actively investigating these reports’’ but didn’t comment further on the lawsuit.
2 UConn players suspended
Two University of Connecticut players were suspended from the team after being arrested on drug and weapons charges following a routine traffic stop.
Linebacker Nazir Williams and defensive lineman Felton Blackwell III, both 19, were pulled over after campus officers saw their vehicle had only one working headlight and had drifted over the center line, police said.
They said that Williams consented to having the vehicle searched after that officers found four grams of marijuana, two BB guns and an open container of vodka in the car. Both players are due in court Nov. 1.
Iowa to renovate stadium
The University of Iowa said it’s moving ahead with plans for a $ 90 million renovation of Kinnick Stadium. The board of regents approved the design and financing plan for the project, which will renovate one of the end zones.
The enhancements to the north end zone include a second deck for seating, new restrooms and expanded concourses. The project will begin after this season and will be completed before the 2019 season.