A former University of Michigan linebacker, Joey Velazquez, has filed a defamation lawsuit against CBS News Detroit, alleging the broadcaster falsely depicted him as a "rat" who lied to investigators in the school's sign-stealing scandal. The lawsuit, filed on August 28 in Manhattan Supreme Court, claims the report led to Velazquez and his family receiving thousands of hateful messages and death threats.
The suit centers on a CBS report published in September 2025, which Velazquez asserts led the public to believe he falsely told investigators that his ex-coach, Chris Partridge, instructed players to lie to the NCAA. Velazquez denies making such a statement, and the NCAA ultimately cleared Partridge of this accusation. The report also stated that Velazquez was the student-athlete who recorded a call with former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions, a detail that was already publicly known.
The sign-stealing scheme, spearheaded by Stalions, involved filming opponents' hand signals during games. This practice was exposed by a 2023 NCAA investigation and resulted in over $30 million in penalties for the university. Velazquez played for the Wolverines for two seasons in 2021 and 2022 before transferring to Ohio State.
Velazquez, who also played college baseball, claims the negative publicity has impacted his professional athletic prospects. Requests for comment from Velazquez's attorney, CBS, Stalions, and the NCAA did not immediately yield responses. Stalions has publicly denied all accusations against him.