Colorado State pauses football after racism, verbal abuse allegations

Colorado State announced Friday it has paused all football-related activities after allegations of racism and verbal abuse surfaced against the school's athletic administration and the football program.

"I have consulted with president (Joyce) McConnell about these new allegations, which obviously deeply concern her as well," athletic director Joe Parker said in a statement. "Effective immediately, and for the best interests of our student-athletes, I am pausing all football-related activities indefinitely.

"This includes practices, workouts, and team meetings. I have also asked president McConnell to expand the independent investigation she announced on Tuesday to include a comprehensive review of our athletic department and football program specifically related to racism and verbal abuse."

The decision comes just days after several players and athletic department personnel went public about the program's poor handling of COVID-19 protocols.

The team is entering its first season under new head coach Steve Addazio, who came over after Boston College fired him following the 2019 campaign.

There was no announcement regarding how long the pause on activities will last, but Parker said there will be no football until the issues are resolved.

"While we have been working hard toward playing football this fall, the holistic well-being of our student-athletes is our unequivocal top priority," he added. "We must and will address these allegations before we focus on playing football."