>>> SHOULD THE CITY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SHOVELING SIDEWALKS.

>>> NOW HERE IS PARIS WITH OUR TOP STORY.

>> NORTHWESTERN FOOTBALL PLAYERS ARE TALKING ABOUT A WELL-KNOWN CULTURE OF HAZING AND ABUSE IN THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM AND BEYOND.

THEY WANT TO SUPPORT THOSE WHO SPEAK OUT AS WELL.

CHICAGO TONIGHT IS HERE WITH MORE.

NICK, HOW MANY PLAYERS CAME FORWARD?

>> TWO LOSS HURTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN FILED.

IN A SEPARATE CASE, THEY ARE REPRESENTING 15 PLAINTIFFS, MOST ARE IN THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM BUT A COUPLE WERE IN WOMEN'S SOFTBALL.

THE ATTORNEYS SAY THEY HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH 50 NORTHWESTERN ATHLETES ACROSS MULTIPLE PROGRAMS.

THIS COMES ON THE HEELS OF A WHISTLEBLOWER'S BOMBSHELL ALLEGATIONS.

FLOYD GATES PLAYED FOOTBALL AT NORTHWESTERN FOR THREE SEASONS.

HE AND THREE OTHER PLAYERS SPOKE PUBLICLY.

THEY ARE REPRESENTED BY THE SAME ATTORNEY WRITES ATTORNEY.

>> WE THOUGHT THIS WAS PART OF BEING , YOU KNOW, PLAYING COLLEGE FOOTBALL , PLAYING BIG TEN, AND WE WANTED TO , YOU KNOW, BE ACCEPTED, WE WANTED TO EARN TRUST AND RESPECT.

IF YOU WENT AGAINST THAT, YOU WERE AN OUTCAST AND IT WARRANTED FURTHER ABUSE.

>> Reporter: THAT ALLEGEDLY INCLUDED A VARIETY OF HAZING RITUALS, MANY OF THE DEMEANING SEXUAL NATURE, INCLUDING FORCED NUDITY, TRY PUMPING, AND MORE.

SOME INCLUDED COACHES BEING AWARE OR TAKING PART.

THE ABUSE HAD TAKEN ACE A HEAVY PSYCHOLOGICAL TOLL.

>> IT IS HARD TO EXPLAIN WHAT WE WENT THROUGH.

THE WORDS WE HAVE TO TELL YOU, TO BEST DESCRIBE IT, IS NOT EVEN TOUCHING IT.

>> PEOPLE BROKE DOWN CRYING ON THE PHONE, WHEN WE TALKED TO THEM ABOUT HOW MAD THIS MADE THEM AND HOW THEY BLAME THEMSELVES NOW FOR NOT HAVING THE COURAGE TO TALK.

>> PARIS, ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING THOSE PLAINTIFFS SAY THEY HAVE NOT FILED, BUT THEY WILL EXPECT TO DO SO IN THE FUTURE.

>> WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE JOHN DOE LAWSUITS?

>> THOSE LAWSUITS ARE ALREADY WITH THE COURT.

ATTORNEYS SAY THEY ARE WAITING ON JOHN DOE CERTIFICATION.

THE ACCUSATIONS THERE ARE LARGELY ALONG THE SAME LINES.

ATTORNEYS CHARGE THAT NORTHWESTERN AND OFFICIALS, INCLUDING FORMER COACH PATRICK FITZGERALD, NEW OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE TOXIC CULTURE IN THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM.

>> THE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH KNOWS ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS WITH HIS FOOTBALL PROGRAM, WHAT THE KIDS DO ON SUMMER BREAK, WHAT THEY DO ON SPRING BREAK, CERTAINLY WHAT HAPPENS IN THE LOCKER ROOM, ON THE FIELD, AND AT CAMP.

>> Reporter: IN A STATEMENT, PUTSCH FITZGERALD 'S ATTORNEY CALLS THE CHARGES SWEEPING ALLEGATIONS.

NO ARGUMENTS WERE MADE THAT WOULD PROVIDE ANY SUBSTANTIVE DETAILS OR FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS, LET ALONE EVIDENCE ABOUT COACH FITZGERALD'S CONDUCT.

NORTHWESTERN SAID IT WILL NOT COMMENT ON PENDING LITIGATION.

IN A PUBLICLY RELEASED LETTER, UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT SAID, QUOTE, WE WILL ADDRESS THE SITUATION AND ENSURE THAT OUR ATHLETIC PROGRAM REMAINS ONE WE CAN BE PROUD OF.

WE WILL DOUBLE OUR EFFORTS TO SAFEGUARD THE WELFARE OF EACH AND EVERY STUDENT ATHLETE AT NORTHWESTERN.

THAT INCLUDES APPROVING A FACULTY SENATE