The Ohio State University scandal, involving the abuse of hundreds of male athletes by athletic doctor Richard Strauss, has been illuminated in a new documentary premiering on HBO. "Surviving Ohio State," which aired at 9 p.m. today, presents a harrowing account of the decades-long abuse and the silence that surrounded the case. Produced by George Clooney’s Smokehouse Pictures, in collaboration with HBO and Sports Illustrated Studios/101 Studios, the documentary draws the nation's attention to a dark chapter in the university's history, as reported by The Columbus Dispatch.
Rocky Ratliff, a former Buckeye wrestler from the 1990s and a survivor of Strauss's abuse, opened up about the difficulty of reliving his traumatic experiences for the screen, "It's definitely hard to relive that," Ratliff expressed in an interview per ABC6. His testimony, along with others, helped uncover a chilling saga that had remained concealed for far too long.
Following revelations from whistleblowers in 2018, Ohio State conducted an extensive investigation that cost $7.6 million and revealed Strauss had abused students during his tenure which ended with his retirement in 1998. Strauss, who died by suicide in 2005, was never held accountable for the widespread damage he inflicted. The scandal's exposure raised serious questions about institutional oversight and the mechanisms in place for reporting and preventing such extensive misconduct.
Eva Orner, director of the documentary, recounted her first encounter with the pervasive culture of Ohio State. "There wasn’t a direct flight, and it was a game day weekend. When I got on to the connecting flight, everyone was in Buckeyes paraphernalia." Orner described to The Guardian. Her statement captures the juxtaposition of an institution championed for its athletic prowess against a backdrop of systemic abuse, creating a complex narrative that challenges Ohio State's legacy.
The documentary not only highlights individual stories of survival but also scrutinizes the culture and systems that allowed such abuses to persist unchallenged. Its airing on HBO, as well as its availability on the streaming service MAX—which is scheduled to become HBO MAX this summer—marks a significant moment for survivors who have long sought recognition for the injustices they endured, amplifying their voices on a national stage.
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