Male survivors unite to expose sexual abuse at college football’s biggest rivals

Michigan and Ohio State just played before 100,000 fans but a more important battle is being fought off the field

Fans of famed rivals Ohio State University and the University of Michigan often boast of how little they have in common. But two of America's biggest college sports programs are bonded by one issue: a history of sexual abuse perpetuated by team doctors.

On Saturday OSU and Michigan battled in front of 110,000 fans on the football field - an occasion so momentous it's known simply as The Game. But elsewhere on the Michigan campus former athletes from both universities gathered in front of Michigan president Mark Schlissel's house to shine a light on the sexual abuse they endured during their time at the colleges. The protest was spearheaded by Jon Vaughn, a former running back for Michigan, who went on to play four years in the NFL. Now, despite the longstanding rivalry between the universities, the men have formed a survivor solidarity group.