Illinois players react to firing of Tim Beckman

Current and former Illinois players reacted on social media after head coach Tim Beckman was fired on Friday.

Current and former Illinois players reacted on social media after head coach Tim Beckman was fired on Friday.

Illinois fired Beckman with cause, citing preliminary results of an external review into allegations that injured players faced pressure to play. Athletic director Mike Thomas said he learned of “efforts to deter injury reporting and influence medical decisions that pressured players to avoid or postpone medical treatment and continue playing despite injuries,” as well as instances of players being “treated inappropriately with respect to whether they could remain on scholarship during the spring semester of their senior year if they weren’t on the team.”

One player who responded to Beckman’s firing was former offensive lineman Simon Cvijanovic, who accused Beckman in May of forcing to play through injuries and other forms of “abuse and misuse of power.”

I appreciate all the support I have received. Huge step in bettering athletics and in helping us prevent future wrongdoings. #Illini

— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) August 28, 2015

Beckman will not receive the $3.1 million remaining on the last two years of his five-year contract or his $743,000 buyout.

Below are additional reactions from current and former Fighting Illini players.

Will always have the utmost respect for Coach Beckman for giving me an opportunity that no one else did.

— Mike Dudek (@MDFlash_7) August 28, 2015

Illinois just got better !!!#illini.

— Akeem Spence (@AkeemSpence) August 28, 2015

We are still going to be successful this season. No matter the circumstances... It's us vs. everybody #ILL

— Tre Watson Sr. (@MDQue_33) August 28, 2015

We just gotta fight #Illiniarmy

— Caleb Reams (@SirClutch97) August 28, 2015

Simon Cvijanovic @IlliniSi said he wants to review the reasons for the firing of Beckman but called it a "step in the right direction."

— Shannon Ryan (@SRyanAthletic) August 28, 2015