Robert Champion Family Talks about FAMU Hazing
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
By: Mark Simpson

Jan. 11, 2012 | WMFE - The family of Florida A and M University Band member Robert Champion Jr. are planning to sue the owners of Fabulous Coach Lines, the charter company operating the bus Champion was on when was fatally beaten following November's Florida Classic Football game in Orlando. The family also says Champion's sexual orientation was not the main reason their son was attacked.

 

Robert Champion’s family says a culture of hazing lead to the fatal beating of their son, not the fact that he was gay.

Family attorney Christopher Chestnut says Champion was attacked more severely because resisted hazing and was in line to become the band’s next chief drum major.

“Did Robert Champion have an alternative lifestyle, yes. Did that define him, no. Robert Champion was defined by the fact that he followed the rules. that he was a leader in the band, that he was against hazing, that he was a peaceful person, that he was a leader.”

Chestnut says the family is waiting to take legal action against FAMU until sovereign immunity protections run out in 6 months.