Steubenville’s Richmond is a walk-on at YSU

Petition seeks former Steubenville football player’s removal from Youngstown State University team

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- One of two former Steubenville High School football players found delinquent in connection with a 2012 rape is finding it difficult to leave the past behind.

Ma'Lik Richmond is on the football roster for the Youngstown State University Penguins, but a petition circulating on the website change.org is asking the university to remove him from the team.

On Wednesday, the university issued a release that said Richmond will not be permitted to play in any games this season.

He will remain in the football program as a practice player, forfeiting a year of eligibility, the release stated.

Richmond was sentenced to one year in a juvenile detention center in 2013 for a highly publicized 2012 rape of a 16-year-old girl at a party. Part of the incident was recorded on a cellphone and posted to social media.

Since leaving the juvenile detention facility in 2014, Richmond has attempted to resume his football career, first returning to his high school team and then to another college team before he transferred to Youngstown State University.

YSU student Katelyn Davis placed the petition on the website over the weekend. More than 10,000 people had "signed" the online petition as of late Tuesday.

"For many years, athletes have constantly been given additional chances," Davis wrote in the petition. "What does this say about rape culture? That athletes can do no wrong; that they can get away with anything because of how they perform on the field or in the gym?"

Davis plans to send the petition to YSU President Jim Tressel and YSU head football coach Bo Pelini.

As of Monday afternoon, YSU Athletics spokesman Trevor Parks said the petition had not yet been delivered to the school, so he could not comment about its effect on Richmond's status.

"He has been working with the team since the spring," Parks said.

Richmond is a walk-on and is not receiving a scholarship.

YSU graduate Daniel Pompili is among those expressing outrage at the thought of Richmond representing his alma mater on the football field.

"He made a choice when he committed this rape," Pompili said.

"I don't have to pay for that education. When I was a student, I recognized part of my tuition and fees helped to pay for different activities in the university."

Richmond is now privy to equipment and accommodations paid for through tuition and fees, as well as state tax dollars, Pompili said.

Although he does not have a problem with Richmond continuing his education, Pompili does not think he should be in a position representing the university.

"The idea of him walking the sidelines wearing the school's colors and YSU football team uniform makes him an ambassador," he said.