Aurora University football player Brook Williams accuses teammates of racial discrimination, allegedly talked about George Floyd
Brook Williams told ABC7 Chicago he faced not only racial slurs from two of his teammates on the Aurora University football team, but also what he considered threatening comments referencing George Floyd.
He said it caused him to leave the team and the school altogether.
From his first visit to campus Williams said he knew then the Aurora University football team was the dream he worked his entire life for.
"I was so stuck on Aurora and like the picture they painted of the brotherhood," Williams said.
However, he says the reality was different.
"Another teammate I had of mine came in, and was like, 'what are you doing? sleeping here? don't you guys sleep in trees?'...In that moment, I knew they clicked, that he was calling me a monkey."
That was one of the racial comments Williams said some of his white teammates allegedly made to him the night of August 21.
Williams said he was staying at his teammates' house to save him time commuting from school to back home.
"One of my teammates, had called me the n-word and like you, better not go in my room," Williams alleged.
He said it escalated from racial slurs to a comment referencing George Floyd. He told ABC7 he took that as a personal threat.
"For my safety, because I was the only Black male in the household at the time," Williams said.
In the school's investigative report viewed by ABC7 Williams told investigators that another player present at the time told him that on the team "some of the guys are racist."
The school's findings say "there was no evidence that [ Williams ] had any motivation to fabricate the allegations... and it is clear something significant happened."
"For the first time in my life, I felt like I could not protect my child, and I've never had that feeling before," Mother Aisha Williams said.
The school's report found that the "conduct is found to constitute hostile environment harassment based on race."
However, they would not confirm if any action was taken towards the accused students.
Williams made the decision to leave the team and the school, never playing in one game.
"Sometimes at night, just lying in the bed, like, ask myself, am I enough? like, did I deserve this?"
"These boys, they're living their American dream while he's stuck, sad, afraid, hurt, doesn't know his next move," William's mother said.
The family said they are talking with the NAACP.
Williams said he is leaning on his family for support and is determined be back on a different field, even stronger.
"No one should have to experience this, and sadly, it will continue to keep happening and happening. So that's why the that's why us as the Black community has to keep speaking up about this," Williams said.
The Williams family said they plan to take legal action against the school in the coming weeks.
In a statement from Aurora University to ABC7, a spokesperson said:
"Aurora University is deeply committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive community where every student feels valued and supported. We take any allegations of misconduct extremely seriously."
"While federal law prevents the university from sharing details about specific student or employee matters, including internal investigations or outcomes, the university follows established policies and procedures when reviewing and evaluating reports such as these to ensure an expeditious and thorough review. Every report is carefully reviewed and investigated in accordance with these policies, and appropriate and responsive action is taken whenever policy violations are found."
