Minnesota Football Players End Boycott, Will Play In Holiday Bowl

The Univ. of Minnesota football team ended its boycott of all activities yesterday after players for the first time "absorbed the painful details of a lengthy report on the sexual assault investigation that led to 10 player suspensions." Details of the 80-page report -- "revealed to most players late Friday -- 'changed the narrative' of the situation." Facing "heavy national criticism," the players "knew they were losing negotiating leverage" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 12/18). The players "sought to have the 10 suspensions lifted before preparing to play" Washington State in the National Funding Holiday Bowl on Dec. 27, but meetings with members of the Board of Regents as well as a conference with UM President Eric Kaler and AD Mark Coyle on Friday "didn’t produce the concessions the players sought" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 12/18).