Former USA Gymnastics Doctor Larry Nassar Stabbed By Inmate In Federal Prison

Larry Nassar, the infamous former sports doctor convicted for the sexual abuse of multiple young female gymnasts, has again become a headline following a prison altercation that resulted in him being stabbed multiple times. Nassar, who is currently serving an effective life sentence, was reportedly attacked by another inmate at the United States Penitentiary, Coleman in Sumterville, Florida, where he is incarcerated.

Former USA Gymnastics Doctor Larry Nassar Stabbed by Inmate in Federal Prison

Nassar, 59, was stabbed six times in the chest and twice each in the neck and back, resulting in a collapsed lung, according to Joe Rojas, president of Local 506, the union representing employees at the Florida prison. However, Nassar's condition has been declared stable. The incident, which occurred at 2:35 p.m. on Sunday, saw an immediate response from the prison staff, with lifesaving measures initiated and Nassar rushed to a local hospital for further treatment. This is not the first time Nassar has faced violence in prison though. He was previously moved from a Tucson, Arizona, prison to a holding facility in Oklahoma City following an assault, after which he was transferred to his current location in Florida.

The rise and fall of Larry Nassar is a disturbing saga that sent ripples across the sports and law enforcement community, and even the nation. Once a trusted doctor to hundreds of athletes, including Olympic champions Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, and McKayla Maroney, Nassar's shocking misconduct came to light after these athletes revealed that they were sexually abused by him, often under the pretense of medical treatment. The chilling revelations led to Nassar's arrest in November 2016. He pled guilty to federal child pornography charges and state sexual abuse charges in 2017, receiving what effectively amounts to a life sentence.

Rachael Denhollander, one of Nassar's first public accusers, poignantly addressed the pain and trauma at his January 2018 sentencing hearing, recounting the innocence and trust that were shattered by Nassar's deplorable actions. Her moving statement, reflecting on the "scars that still remain for all of us," offers a stark reminder of the lifelong impacts of such abuse.

The Nassar scandal exposed a significant failing in the American sports and law enforcement agencies. Following investigations by Congress and the USOPC, it became evident that there were systemic inadequacies in addressing sexual abuse within sports organizations. These shortcomings ranged from insufficient background checks to a lack of uniformity in the athlete safety programs across individual sports federations.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee concluded in a 2018 report, “For too long, the policies and procedures adopted and implemented by NGBs have fallen short…the protection of athletes – the vast majority of whom are minors – must be the top priority.” Consequently, the Nassar scandal led to the establishment of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, an organization tasked by Congress with investigating sexual abuse in the Olympic movement. Leadership overhauls followed at USA Gymnastics and the USOPC, evidencing a significant shift towards prioritizing athlete safety and preventing future abuse.

Victims of Nassar's abuse took legal action against Michigan State, USA Gymnastics, and the USOPC, resulting in a 2021 settlement agreement of $380 million between USA Gymnastics, the USOPC, and over 500 women who claimed abuse. Michigan State agreed to a $500 million settlement with the survivors in 2018 and was subsequently fined a record $4.5 million by the U.S. Department of Education.

Biles testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2021, emphasizing the need for accountability. She and over 90 other claimants, including Raisman, Maroney, and more, are suing the FBI for over $1 billion for its alleged negligence that enabled Nassar's abuse to continue. Despite the ongoing legal battle, Biles recently announced her return to gymnastics.

Many content creators are sharing the news of Nassar's assault and reminding their followers of how old his victims were when he brutally assaulted them. Three of the girls were under the age of 12. Few, if any, are expressing sympathy at the fact that he was stabbed. In fact, many people claim that the pain he endured isn't nearly enough payback for the devastation he caused to hundreds of innocent gymnasts.