Family of New Mexico football player Nahje Flowers – who took his own life – sues school, NCAA
The family of a University of New Mexico football player who took his own life last November has filed a civil suit, alleging the school, head coach Bob Davie and the NCAA were all negligent in the death of Lobos defensive lineman Nahje Flowers.
"This lawsuit's purpose is to shine a light on the need to protect athletes in a very violent sport and to allow Nahje's parents their day in court," attorney Bob Hilliard said on a video call announcing the lawsuit.
Hilliard said Flowers, 21, had been dealing with mental health issues and thoughts of suicide when he was prescribed antidepressants by a school psychiatrist and was instructed to sit out for at least two games.
However, Flowers played in the Lobos' game at Nevada on November 2, and was found dead in his apartment from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head three days later.
"There was no protocol in place, or if there was, it was ignored, which makes it worse," Hilliard said. "The doctor was concerned enough to say you shouldn't play but that was overruled because there was a game coming up."
The redshirt junior played in all 24 games in 2017 and 2018, making 11 starts at defensive end. He played in six of the Lobos' games last season.
Attorney John Duff said an autopsy conducted by the university revealed an indication of CTE in Flowers' brain. CTE, or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, is a degenerative condition of the brain found in people with a history of brain trauma and has been linked to mental health issues, suicidal thoughts and depression.
After Flowers' death, Davie described him as "a wonderful person and a great teammate." However, Flowers' parents said Davie showed no respect or compassion when they traveled to campus to pick up their son's belongings.
"He wasn't being listened to and his mental and physical well-being were not prioritized," Flowers' mother Vickie Gilmore said. "Our families hoped he would return with a higher education and a bright future ahead. I never imagined he that would return home by funeral arrangements."
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump said Flowers' parents are owed "an apology and a debt" from Davie, the school and the NCAA.
"They at best turned a blind eye, not following their procedures appropriately," Crump said. "At worst, they just did not care enough about a young man who played football (and his) health when it stood in contrast with the big business of college football."
The school has not responded to the suit.
“While we do not comment directly on pending or active litigation, the mental and physical well-being of our students is of the greatest importance to The University of New Mexico, and the loss of a student is tragic and affects the entire Lobo community deeply," UNM Chief Marketing & Communication Officer Cinnamon Blair said in a statement emailed to Paste BN Sports. "Nahje made great contributions to UNM as a student and an athlete, and our thoughts continue to be with his family.”
The suit is also seeking unspecified monetary damages.
"Even though there is no amount that can pay the debt that these parents are owed," Crump said, "we are hopeful that it would send a message that the next child who is struggling with mental health would be treated better than they treated Nahje Flowers."