Illinois Pays $250K To Settle Ex-Lineman's Injury Claims
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — The University of Illinois has agreed to pay a former football player $250,000 to settle injury claims that helped prompt wider scrutiny of athletics at the school
Simon Cvijanovic announced the settlement Monday on Twitter. A news release later from his lawyer, Bob Geimer, says the payment compensates for injuries and for medical costs Cvijanovic incurred as an Illini offensive lineman.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 30, 2017
I will be addressing the press this Thursday morning, June 1st, in Chicago.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 30, 2017
This agreement marks the first time in history a college athlete has been rightfully compensated for his sports related injuries.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 30, 2017
Cvijanovic in 2015 first raised allegations then-football coach Tim Beckman pressed him to play through injuries. Beckman was fired later that year.
The news release also cites Chancellor Robert Jones as saying he hopes the settlement lets Cvijanovic "focus on his future goals." An athletics department spokesman confirmed the contents of the news release to The (Champaign) News-Gazette .
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