Ex-Penn State DB claimed Franklin told him not to report fight to police

Former Penn State football player Isaiah Humphries alleged head coach James Franklin told him not to talk to police following a 2018 fight with a teammate that involved punching, choking, and a knife being pulled, according to a university report obtained by ESPN's John Barr.

Humphries' accusations were included in a 2019 Title IX inquiry into sexual assault allegations in the Nittany Lions' locker room. Humphries sued the school earlier this year.

The report contains interviews with a handful of players, coaches, and staff but doesn't include any conclusions from investigators.

Humphries, a former defensive back, says he met with Franklin in the coach's car following an altercation with star linebacker Micah Parsons.

"Mr. Humphries added that Coach Franklin came and said, 'Don't talk to the police because Micah is his (star) player and makes money, so if he gets in trouble, he's gone,' meaning Mr. Humphries would be gone," the investigators wrote in the report.

However, a school spokesperson told ESPN that Franklin "made it clear that he did not instruct Mr. Humphries to avoid contacting authorities."

The spokesperson added, "We believe the claims relating to Coach Franklin have no merit, and we will continue to defend him vigorously."

Humphries, who transferred to California in 2019, previously accused Parsons, defensive tackle Damion Barber - who also transferred - and former defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos of sexual harassment.

The report features a number of detailed incidents involving reputed instances of sexual harassment in the team's locker room.

Penn State said it already investigated Humphries' allegations but declined to reveal the results, citing privacy concerns and the ongoing litigation.