Former Illinois offensive lineman Simon Cvijanovic aimed a barrage of tweets at Illinois football culture and coach Tim Beckman on Sunday, alleging abuse and neglect by the staff.
His comments prompted articles from ESPN and Deadspin, as well as a statement from the Illinois athletic department.
Cvijanovic’s stream-of-consciousness rant began around 4 p.m. Sunday and continued until well past midnight from his Twitter handle @IlliniSi. He picked up right he left off Monday morning, responding to those who both agreed and disagreed with him and continuing to call out Beckman.
Part of the conversation Monday was with former Illini offensive lineman Jack Cornell.
Cvijanovic is still going as of this writing, so this post will be updated.
I bet @coachbeckman wishes he didn't kick me out his office last Friday. #unprofessional #doesntcare
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015
For 5yrs, my medication and any medical treatment, was followed to the exact specifications of the Illinois football med staff.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015
I got instructions and I followed them. If I didn't my life was made hell. So yes, they CAN force medical treatment and they do.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015
It's all for the same reason I m-f'd Joe Gilbert at the Kaft Fight Hunger Bowl as a redshirt freshman. You don't get to treat me how u want.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015
Any other "job" in the country and Beckman would already have been asked to leave. #unionize now!
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015
I'm using Twitter like a union rep. There is no other outlet. #unionize
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015
Still no call from @Illinois_Alma
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015
People act like they care but they don't. You don't need to personally attack me on Twitter. This is between me and @coachbeckman 's staff
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015
And I'm not wrong so just stop wasting your breathe. The NCAA needs a major overhaul.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015
Why is being a target of abuse ok? Not talking about screaming and yelling. I'm talking about personal digging nonstop bullying.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015
If I was abused like this on the job, a union would have @coachbeckman 's head.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015
I repeat THIS IS ALL FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE PLAYERS not for me.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015
Wrong https://t.co/M6mNtmWHg3
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015
Creating a hostile work environment would have a union up in arms. https://t.co/4hthf6FpN8
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015
Currently any break in team rules can lead to a loss of scholarship. So a coach can "fire" you at anytime anyways. https://t.co/gBf9qgnfhi
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015
And currently players are being "fired" for no good reason daily. It's not just a football problem people.
— Simon Cvijanović (@SimonCvijanovic) May 11, 2015
