Minnesota's football team has ended its boycott and will resume preparations to play in the National Funding Holiday Bowl.
The Gophers had been protesting the suspension of 10 players connected to a sexual assault allegation, demanding that the players be reinstated immediately.
The team released a statement, which was read Saturday morning by wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky.
"As a team, we understand that what has occurred these past few days, and playing football for the University of Minnesota, is larger than just us," the team said in its statement. "So many before us have given so much to this University and this football team ... we will not ... and we recognize that we must not, let these people down.
"We now ask that you, the members of the media, our fans, and the general public hold all of us accountable for ensuring that our teammates are treated fairly, along with any and all victims of sexual assault. We also ask that the public dialogue related to the apparent lack of due process in a university system is openly discussed and evaluated."
The announcement came after a late-night meeting Friday between Gophers players and university president Eric Kaler and other campus leaders. The statement revealed that the 10 players remain suspended, but also said that the players will have a "fair hearing" in front of a "diverse review panel."
"After many hours of discussion within our team, and after speaking with President Kaler, it became clear that our original request of having the 10 suspensions overturned was not going to happen," the statement said. "Our senior group had a meeting with President Kaler and AD Mark Coyle last night, Friday the 16th, where they agreed to the following requests: That all ten of these players have a fair hearing -- which includes a diverse review panel. Number two, a showing of support for our team and the character shown by the great majority of our players. Finally, that we as a team will use our status as public figures to bring more exposure to the issue of sexual harassment and violence against women."
The Gophers will face Washington State in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 27. They were scheduled to leave for San Diego on Dec. 23.
Three players spoke anonymously to ESPN's Brett McMurphy on Saturday after boycott was lifted. The players, who did not want to be identified because they wanted the statement to be the team's message, said they were literally up for the past 35 hours without sleeping, trying to reach a decision.
The anonymous players also said the team never considered going to the Holiday Bowl and then refusing to play because this is "bigger than football." The team called Holiday Bowl officials Friday night, and the bowl told them they needed a decision by 5 p.m. local time Saturday, the anonymous players told McMurphy.
"As football players, we know that we represent this University and this state and that we are held to a higher standard," the team said in its statement. "We want to express our deepest gratitude to our coaching staff and so many others for their support during this difficult time, and we hope that our fans and community understand why we took the actions that we did.
<article class="ad-300"></article>"Our thoughts and prayers are for the well-being of the woman involved in the original incident, and for our 10 teammates to ensure that they are treated fairly. We look forward to representing the University of Minnesota and the state of Minnesota in the Holiday Bowl in a way that makes all of you proud."
The suspensions resulted from the 10 players' alleged roles in a reported gang rape that occurred on Sept. 2, only hours after the Gophers' season opener against Oregon State in Minneapolis. A female Minnesota student told police that several men sexually assaulted her at a football player's apartment. Five of the suspended Minnesota players told police that they had consensual sex with the woman.
No criminal charges were filed against the players, but a school investigation concluded this week the athletes violated university policy. On Thursday, players said they wouldn't practice or play unless their teammates' suspensions were revoked.
ESPN's Mark Schlabach and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Gophers had been protesting the suspension of 10 players connected to a sexual assault allegation, demanding that the players be reinstated immediately.
The team released a statement, which was read Saturday morning by wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky.
"As a team, we understand that what has occurred these past few days, and playing football for the University of Minnesota, is larger than just us," the team said in its statement. "So many before us have given so much to this University and this football team ... we will not ... and we recognize that we must not, let these people down.
"We now ask that you, the members of the media, our fans, and the general public hold all of us accountable for ensuring that our teammates are treated fairly, along with any and all victims of sexual assault. We also ask that the public dialogue related to the apparent lack of due process in a university system is openly discussed and evaluated."
The announcement came after a late-night meeting Friday between Gophers players and university president Eric Kaler and other campus leaders. The statement revealed that the 10 players remain suspended, but also said that the players will have a "fair hearing" in front of a "diverse review panel."
"After many hours of discussion within our team, and after speaking with President Kaler, it became clear that our original request of having the 10 suspensions overturned was not going to happen," the statement said. "Our senior group had a meeting with President Kaler and AD Mark Coyle last night, Friday the 16th, where they agreed to the following requests: That all ten of these players have a fair hearing -- which includes a diverse review panel. Number two, a showing of support for our team and the character shown by the great majority of our players. Finally, that we as a team will use our status as public figures to bring more exposure to the issue of sexual harassment and violence against women."
The Gophers will face Washington State in the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 27. They were scheduled to leave for San Diego on Dec. 23.
Three players spoke anonymously to ESPN's Brett McMurphy on Saturday after boycott was lifted. The players, who did not want to be identified because they wanted the statement to be the team's message, said they were literally up for the past 35 hours without sleeping, trying to reach a decision.
The anonymous players also said the team never considered going to the Holiday Bowl and then refusing to play because this is "bigger than football." The team called Holiday Bowl officials Friday night, and the bowl told them they needed a decision by 5 p.m. local time Saturday, the anonymous players told McMurphy.
"As football players, we know that we represent this University and this state and that we are held to a higher standard," the team said in its statement. "We want to express our deepest gratitude to our coaching staff and so many others for their support during this difficult time, and we hope that our fans and community understand why we took the actions that we did.
<article class="ad-300"></article>"Our thoughts and prayers are for the well-being of the woman involved in the original incident, and for our 10 teammates to ensure that they are treated fairly. We look forward to representing the University of Minnesota and the state of Minnesota in the Holiday Bowl in a way that makes all of you proud."
The suspensions resulted from the 10 players' alleged roles in a reported gang rape that occurred on Sept. 2, only hours after the Gophers' season opener against Oregon State in Minneapolis. A female Minnesota student told police that several men sexually assaulted her at a football player's apartment. Five of the suspended Minnesota players told police that they had consensual sex with the woman.
No criminal charges were filed against the players, but a school investigation concluded this week the athletes violated university policy. On Thursday, players said they wouldn't practice or play unless their teammates' suspensions were revoked.
ESPN's Mark Schlabach and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
