DSU Football Player Sues University, Coach in Connection with Alleged Locker-room Assault
DOVER, Del. – A Delaware State University (DSU) football player is suing the university and several faculty members, alleging a lack of proper supervision and team leadership that permitted violent behaviors leading to a locker room assault.
The lawsuit claims that DSU and the school’s head football coach, DeSean Jackson, did not discipline Anthony Hebert after he assaulted fellow teammate and plaintiff of the case, Malachi Biggs. Additionally listed as defendants in this case are assistant head football coach Travis Clark, and Director of Football Operations Jane Hicks.
In a statement, Biggs’ representation from law firm Morgan & Morgan said the following:
“Our lawsuit alleges that the Delaware State University and its staff failed in their responsibility to adequately supervise these student athletes and failed to properly discipline violent behaviors. By dismissing violent assaults as mere ‘horseplay,’ the University and coach DeSean Jackson allegedly fostered a toxic culture of bullying and hazing in the locker room. Our client came to this University to play the game he loved. Instead, he’s leaving with catastrophic injuries that may be career ending and have permanently derailed his life. These alleged systemic failures led to this predictable and preventable tragedy that ripped away the life he had always dreamed of.”
On Nov. 19, 2025, Biggs was in the football locker room preparing for practice when Hebert allegedly confronted another teammate over an Instagram post. After allegedly choking the teammate, Hebert allegedly turned his attention to Biggs, placing him in a chokehold until he lost consciousness and was dropped to the floor. The complaint argues this fall caused severe permanent damage including multiple fractures to Biggs’ jaw, a deep chin laceration, a severed tongue ligament, and irreparable damage to at least a dozen teeth. Biggs has since undergone several dental and oral surgeries, most recently on Apr. 10, and still requires more.
Documents allege that Herbert was not punished, either academically or athletically, for the alleged assault. Instead, Hebert was permitted to play in a football game just three days after the alleged assaults occurred. Additionally, Herbert reportedly graduated from the school this year, and has since been employed as a member of the coaching staff and/or graduate assistant for DSU’s football team.
Biggs is seeking for compensatory damages, coverage of medical bills, general and special damages including pain and suffering, past and future lost wages, loss of earnings and earning capacity, and other punitive damages.
WMDT reached out to DSU for a statement, who said that they “do not comment on matters of ongoing litigation.”
