TCU's Gary Patterson defends himself and program against allegations in lawsuit

TCU football coach Gary Patterson said he was hurt by the allegations in a lawsuit filed by a former player.

Patterson, speaking publicly for the first time about the lawsuit after Sunday's spring practice, declined to get into specifics regarding the allegations. Former receiver Kolby Listenbee alleges that he was bullied by Patterson and other coaches into playing with an injury that was not yet fully healed. The lawsuit was filed on Jan. 31.

"I guess I was a little bit hurt," Patterson said. "I'm one of those coaches that put everything in my life into kids. Growing them up, giving them opportunity."

Patterson defended the team physicians and medical staff, which are also named in the lawsuit, along with the school, former athletic director Chris Del Conte and the Big 12 Conference.

Patterson said the team doctors decide whether a player is too injured to play or not, which is at the crux of Listenbee's lawsuit.

"Our outside doctors and our staff has always been unbelievable dealing with our student-athletes," he said. "Bottom line to it is , it's always been about the program. It's never been about winning. Winning is important but never in front of someone's health. There's not much [else] I can answer there."

Patterson said he's heard from many former players offering to give counter testimony in his defense but he's told them to "lay in the weeds" for now.

"There's a lot of people who have become successful in life, on and off the football field, because of the job we've done here," Patterson said. "There's a whole bunch. When the time comes, they've got a story. I'm excited about the opportunity to tell our side. But it's not going to be today."

This story was originally published March 4, 2018 at 7:09 PM with the headline "TCU's Gary Patterson defends himself and program against allegations in lawsuit."