According to the lawsuit, the abuse ranged from verbal harassment, which included sexual statements and homophobic slurs, to molestation and violence, ultimately culminating with the forced sodomy with a pool cue.
The lawsuit was filed on July 25 in the Middle District of Alabama Northern Division. Plaintiff John Haynes names former Troy punter Jack Dawson and three coaches in his lawsuit, which claims the abuse started in August 2020 when Haynes and Dawson met and became suitemates. Haynes ultimately withdrew from Troy in December 2020.
The lawsuit claims throughout the abuse, Haynes sought help from three coaches who are also named as defendants in the suit: Brian Blackmon, Dayne Brown and Jamaal Smith. The lawsuit contends that Haynes began experiencing depression and anxiety because of the abuse and was eventually prescribed with antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication. He withdrew from Troy in December 2020.