Blake Anderson Response
Blake Anderson Response
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Plaintiff,
Case No. 1:22-cv-00146-CMR
v.
Defendants.
Complaint.
Complaint.
University as its head football coach from December 10, 2020, when he
signed his employment letter, to the present time. Anderson denies the
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Complaint.
Complaint.
Complaint.
GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
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Anderson, but rather cite to articles and make sweeping allegations about
the allegations generally but denies the inference that the allegations are
accurate as to USU.
28. Anderson was not employed by Utah State University during the
29. Anderson responds that the DOJ report speaks for itself and
they are inconsistent with the DOJ report. Anderson was not employed by
and lacks sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations made in that
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30. Anderson responds that the DOJ report speaks for itself and
they are inconsistent with the DOJ report. Anderson was not employed by
31. Anderson responds that the DOJ report speaks for itself and
they are inconsistent with the DOJ report. Anderson was not employed by
32. Anderson responds that the DOJ report speaks for itself and
they are inconsistent with the DOJ report. Anderson was not employed by
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and lacks sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations made in that
33. Anderson responds that the DOJ report speaks for itself and
they are inconsistent with the DOJ report. Anderson was not employed by
and lacks sufficient knowledge to admit or deny the allegations made in that
Complaint as they pertain to the short period of time in 2020 that Anderson
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Complaint.
Complaint.
August 2021 football team meeting and that the USU Chief of Police, Logan
Chief of Police, and Assistant Chief of Logan Police were present. Anderson
Complaint.
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Complaint that a meeting with campus and Logan City police was held.
Among the topics discussed were zero tolerance for sexual assault and going
the extra mile to ensure that any sexual interactions were consensual.
statements, and responds that the recording, in its entirety, speaks for itself.
43. Anderson admits that the Logan Assistant Police Chief shared his
phone number during the presentation and that Plaintiff has excerpted a
44. Anderson admits that in the audio recording police tell players
that they do not contact the press about people they interact with while on
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former police chief. Anderson responds that the audio recording of the
meeting with the USU football team, in its entirety, speaks for itself.
Complaint. Anderson responds that the audio recording of the meeting with
audio recording and responds that the recording, in its entirety, speaks for
47.
audio recording and responds that the recording, in its entirety, speaks for
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incomplete and do not represent the full context of the topic discussed in
the meeting with players. Anderson denies the remainder of the allegations
Complaint that the team often made funny videos prior to games. Anderson
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Complaint.
football team and that Maddox has represented that he is the individual
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in games 1 and 5 of the 2021 season to represent the team during the coin
57.
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Complaint.
nor anyone else ever made Anderson aware of any threats of physical
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Anderson further asserts that he would not have tolerated any such threats.
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nor anyone else ever made Anderson aware of any threats of physical
72. Anderson admits that Maddox began speaking about his friend
his friend being raped, and incorporates the answer given in paragraph 72.
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that he cannot recollect whether he made this statement in his meeting with
quoted excerpt from the audio recording of a team meeting, but cannot
recall when he did so, and therefore denies for lack of knowledge. Anderson
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team was told not to take matters into their own hands should the person
Complaint.
Complaint.
recommended that Maddox speak to the team about the recording and
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that words have been withheld. Without further context Anderson lacks
Complaint.
knowledge that members of the team may take violent measures against
Maddox, and Anderson denies any such knowledge. Anderson admits he did
not speak with Maddox about preventing players from taking violent
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Complaint.
time and working with the team’s training staff, rather than the team as a
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knowledge.
Coach Anderson more than one time regarding the issue of recording the
team meetings, and Anderson denies there was more than one such
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between Maddox and his position coach and therefore denies the allegation.
Anderson affirmatively asserts that Maddox had not previously been, nor
was at the end of the 2021 season, being considered for a scholarship.
Anderson affirmatively asserts that discussions for 2022 scholarships did not
occur until well after Maddox had entered the transfer portal.
Maddox had with his position coach. Anderson incorporates the answer to
paragraph 94.
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Maddox had with his position coach. Anderson denies the remaining
allegations.
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102. Anderson admits that Maddox entered the NCAA transfer portal
and left the football team. Anderson lacks sufficient knowledge to admit or
Maddox’s reasons for leaving the team, therefore those allegations are
paragraph 102.
Complaint to the extent that they are factual, and also to the extent that
Complaint that Maddox was retaliated against and bullied into leaving the
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Complaint.
107-115. The allegations made in the First Cause of Action are not
117. The allegations made in paragraph 117 of the Complaint call for
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118. The allegations made in paragraph 118 of the Complaint call for
Complaint.
Complaint.
Complaint.
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Complaint.
125. The allegation made in paragraph 125 of the Complaint calls for
calls for a legal conclusion for which no response is required. To the extent
127. The allegation made in paragraph 127 of the Complaint calls for
Complaint.
129. The allegations made in paragraph 129 of the Complaint call for
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and all allegations that retaliatory action was taken against Maddox for
130. The allegations made in paragraph 130 of the Complaint call for
and all allegations that retaliatory action was taken against Maddox for
131. The allegations made in paragraph 131 of the Complaint call for
132. The allegations made in paragraph 132 of the Complaint call for
and all allegations that Maddox was discharged from the team.
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Complaint.
AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES
Any and all injuries and damages Maddox claims are the result of his
own actions or omissions, or from the acts or omissions of third parties over
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immunity bars claims against the State or an arm of the State for damages
Cause of Action, because the right asserted by Plaintiff was not clearly
established at the time, and any actions by Defendant were not flagrant
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PRAYER
his costs incurred in defending this lawsuit and for such other relief as the
JURY DEMAND
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