Former University of Michigan Football doctor Robert Anderson, employed under coach Bo Schembechler, has been accused of sexual misconduct by former Wolverine players, including the coach’s son.
Former Wolverine Gilvanni Johnson, who played wide receiver for the team in the early 1980s, and Dan Kwiatkowski, an offensive tackle for the Wolverines in the late 1970s, said that if Schembechler had listened to his own son Matt’s sexual assault accusations against the doctor, they would never have been “victimized.” The comments were noted by ESPN in a piece published Friday. (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
The former players said they told their coach about the doctor’s alleged abuse and were ignored. (RELATED: Education Department Launches Investigation After Allegations That University Gynecologist Abused Hundreds Of Patients)
Two former Michigan football players who told investigators they were sexually assaulted by former team doctor Robert Anderson, said coach Bo Schembechler ignored complaints, including those made by Schembechler’s own son, Matt: https://t.co/ryow3pL6QC pic.twitter.com/1AkTVs51iw
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 11, 2021
“If [Bo Schembechler] had stopped Anderson before 1982, I would not have been victimized at all,” Johnson said at the press conference.
Matt Schembechler claimed that when he was 10 years old, he was sexually assaulted by Anderson and that when he told his father about it, the legendary coach didn’t want to hear about it. Matt said after he told his father, Bo reportedly “put hands on” his wife Millie, and punched him in the chest.
“[Bo] believed no man is more important than the team,” Matt Schembechler said during the news conference. “Dr. Anderson was part of Bo’s team, therefore he was more important than any man. I’m coming forward for my own healing and to help prevent people and institutions from exploiting the trust and power given to them in the future.”
Matt’s brother Glenn “Shemy” Schembechler disputed his brother’s claims about his father’s behavior, as well as the claim that the coach knew what was happening with Anderson and did nothing about it. (RELATED: Michigan Opening Seven Other Sexual Abuse Cases Not Related To Nassar)
“None of us were in that room when those players were talking to Bo,” Glenn said. “The Bo I knew would have taken care of it and found another doctor. It would be that easy.”
“I was saddened, but I can’t say I was shocked,” he added, when asked about his brother’s statements. “My heart goes out to the victims, but I know for certain that if Bo were here, he’d feel the same way. He would have gone to any lengths to help his players.”
The university has released a statement condemning and apologizing for the “tragic misconduct” of Anderson.
“Our sympathy for all of Anderson’s victims is deep and unwavering, and we thank them for their bravery in coming forward,” a statement from the University of Michigan read. “We condemn and apologize for the tragic misconduct of the late Dr. Robert Anderson, who left the University 17 years ago and died 13 years ago. We are committed to resolving their claims and to continuing the court-guided confidential mediation process.”
Anderson died in 2008 and worked at the university from 1966 to 2003 in a variety of roles. He worked closely with the athletic department. More than 800 former patients have made legal claims the former doctor sexually assaulted them during physical exams and other routine medical appointments. The claims became publicly known a decade after his death.
Bo Schembechler died in 2006. Millie died in 1992.