DeSanto Rollins Rebuts Motion To Dimiss Lawsuit Against Ole Miss Rebels, Lane Kiffin
According to ESPN, attorneys of Ole Miss defensive tackle DeSanto Rollins filed a memorandum Tuesday asking the court to deny a motion to dismiss a lawsuit Rollins filed against Rebels coach Lane Kiffin.
Rollins was kicked off the team by Kiffin after missing practices and team meetings during a "mental health crisis." In mid-September, Rollins filed a lawsuit against the university and coach for "failure to provide equal protection, racial and sexual discrimination, and multiple other allegations."
A 26-page legal document was filed to the district court Tuesday, which rebutted the motion.
Ole Miss Lane Kiffin talking to Jaxson Dart at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Carleigh Harbin-The Grove Report
"The court should consider the allegations of Rollins' complaint as true," the memorandum said. "Almost all of those allegations are undisputed. Kiffin and the University dispute only one allegation -- that Kiffin kicked Rollins off the football team. ...However, Rollins has submitted a declaration ... detailing contradictory evidence. That evidence must be construed in the light most favorable to Rollins."
Rollins, a junior from Baton Rouge, La., is seeking $10 million in compensatory damages and $30 million in punitive damages. The lawsuit alleges that Kiffin intentionally took action against Rollins "on account of race for requesting and taking a mental health break, but not taking adverse action against white student-athletes" for the same request."
Earlier this month, audio was released of Kiffin's dismissal of Rollins from March. Rollins legally recorded the meeting without Kiffin's knowledge, and a copy of the exchange was included in the lawsuit.
Per ESPN's Heather Dinich, Rollins was never removed from the football team and remains on scholarship. According to the lawsuit, Rollins has not been able to participate in any school activities, including meals, team meetings, practice, and gameday activities.
The Rebels (9-2, 5-2 SEC) close out the regular season at Davis Wade Stadium against in-state rival Mississippi State for the annual Egg Bowl this Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
