A new HBO documentary accuses Congressman Jim Jordan of making a “flat-out lie” about what he knew regarding decades of sexual abuse at Ohio State University, reigniting scrutiny over one of college athletics’ darkest chapters.
At a Glance
- A new HBO documentary revisits the Ohio State sex abuse scandal, naming Rep. Jim Jordan among staff allegedly informed.
- Former wrestlers say Jordan knew about misconduct by team doctor Richard Strauss.
- Jordan denies ever being told of abuse during his coaching years at the university.
- Strauss allegedly abused at least 177 athletes over two decades, according to a 2019 investigation.
- Ohio State has paid more than $60 million in settlements to abuse survivors.
HBO’s Documentary Reignites Long-Dormant Scandal
The documentary Surviving Ohio State, which premiered on HBO, thrusts viewers back into the unresolved trauma surrounding former university physician Dr. Richard Strauss. Central to the film is the testimony of several former Ohio State wrestlers who allege that abuse was an “open secret”—and that Rep. Jim Jordan, an assistant coach at the time, was fully aware.
Watch a report: Survivors react to ‘Surviving Ohio State’ doc while lawsuits update
While Jordan has consistently denied any knowledge of Strauss’s misconduct, the documentary presents pointed claims from athletes who say he was directly told about the abuse. These interviews echo assertions made during previous lawsuits and media investigations, but now reemerge with heightened urgency amid Jordan’s national political visibility.
Survivors’ Voices, Institutional Response
Richard Strauss served as a team doctor at Ohio State between 1978 and 1998 and is accused of sexually abusing at least 177 male students and athletes, as confirmed in a 2019 independent investigation by Perkins Coie LLP. The report found that university personnel were aware of complaints for years but failed to act decisively.
Following the investigation, Ohio State issued formal apologies and has since paid over $60 million to hundreds of survivors. The university also pledged reforms in oversight and student safety protocols, including expanded mandatory reporting procedures and third-party audits.
The documentary, produced by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Amy Berg, explores these issues through the lens of survivors’ personal stories. One former athlete described the environment as “one where you couldn’t speak up without risking everything.” This narrative is now front and center again, spotlighting the human cost behind the headlines.
Renewed Questions, Ongoing Fallout
Surviving Ohio State is already influencing public discourse, particularly regarding accountability for those who allegedly knew about Strauss’s behavior but remained silent. While some former staff and athletes have defended Jordan’s denials, others maintain their claims under oath and in interviews.
The documentary does not claim to provide legal conclusions, but it raises questions about institutional responsibility, cultural silence, and how such misconduct could persist for two decades. Legal experts and advocates say the renewed attention may push universities nationwide to re-examine their handling of similar allegations.
With its powerful survivor testimonies and focus on systemic failure, the HBO film is not just about the past—it’s a stark warning about what happens when warning signs are ignored, and voices are dismissed. The debate continues, but one message is clear: the cost of silence is often measured in lives disrupted and trust betrayed.
