Former Northwestern football players are reportedly pursuing legal action against the school in the aftermath of the hazing scandal that led to former head coach Pat Fitzgerald's firing.

According to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, eight former players retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump as well as the Levin & Perconti law firm. Crump and the firm announced they discovered "a vast array of incidents of abuse" within the football program.

"Whether the coaches at Northwestern approved or participated in the harassment of these players or not, they are responsible for allowing and enabling a toxic, disgusting, and damaging culture in their programs," Crump said in a statement. "Sadly, our research suggests that this kind of abuse of student athletes may be far more common on college campuses than we know, because there is tremendous pressure to keep quiet. It's time for a reckoning to protect young athletes."

An independent investigation into the program also substantiated allegations from former players regarding the hazing scandal.