Ex-PSU DB Isaiah Humphries: James Franklin Said Don't Tell Cops About 2018 Fight

Former Penn State defensive back Isaiah Humphries told university investigators that Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin advised him not to contact police following a fight with teammate Micah Parsons.

ESPN's John Barr obtained a draft of the investigation's findings, which stated Humphries and Parsons were involved in an altercation in March 2018 that included Humphries pulling out a knife when Parsons would not stop choking him. The defensive back, who has since transferred to Cal and is suing Penn State, said he met with Franklin after the fight.

"Mr. Humphries added that Coach Franklin came and said, 'Don't talk to the police because Micah is his start [sic] player and makes money, so if he gets in trouble, he's gone,' meaning Mr. Humphries would be gone," report read.

A Penn State spokesperson told Barr, "Franklin has made it clear that he did not instruct Mr. Humphries to avoid contacting authorities."

Humphries' suit alleges Parsons, defensive tackle Damion Barber and defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos sexually harassed him during their time as teammates. Barber allegedly said he was going to "Sandusky" Humphries, referencing former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, who is in prison after being convicted on 45 counts of sexual assault and rape of young boys.

Two players interviewed for the report said Barber would simulate sex acts while naked in front of other players and sometimes inappropriately touch them. Some allegations were disputed, including one player saying Humphries "lies for no reason."

Barber, Gross-Matos and Parsons did not respond to requests to comment from ESPN. Gross-Matos and Parsons are not alleged to have made inappropriate contact with teammates.

Penn State and Franklin filed paperwork seeking to have Humphries' lawsuit dismissed.