An Ole Miss defensive tackle filed a lawsuit against football coach Lane Kiffin and the university Thursday, alleging denial of equal protection, racial discrimination, sexual discrimination, violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and more.
DeSanto Rollins, a member of the football team since 2020, alleged in the lawsuit that Kiffin kicked him off the team “because he requested to take a mental health break due to the anxiety, depression and mental stress he was suffering.” Rollins also said he suffered multiple injuries in 2022 that caused severe depression and anxiety and that the university failed to provide him with mental health educational materials.
The lawsuit alleges Kiffin intentionally took “adverse action” against Rollins “on account of race, for requesting and taking a mental health break, but not taking adverse action against white student-athletes for requesting and taking a mental health break.” It also alleges sexual discrimination for taking the same action against Rollins, “but not taking adverse action against female student-athletes.”
The lawsuit additionally alleges Rollins was “disabled within the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act” and was qualified to play for the school, “but he was kicked off the football…
