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Wisconsin band reportedly subjected to verbal abuse from Detroit Lions' Dominic Raiola

The Lions' center reportedly hurled insults at members of Wisconsin's band before and during Saturday's game vs. the Green Bay Packers.

By Mike Fiammetta
USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola reportedly subjected members of the University of Wisconsin marching band before and during Saturday's game vs. the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

UW's band typically performs at at least one Packers home game a season, and according to a Facebook post from tuba player Zach York, Raiola was hurling insults before and during the game. York's post has spread across the internet Monday morning, accumulating 272 likes and 364 shares as of this writing.

Dominic Raiola is literally the worst person I have ever had the fortune to encounter. After marching down the field awaiting the national anthem, He went off on a verbal tirade, among other things, questioning my sexuality (as a band member) and then continued on to bring my sister and my recently deceased mother into the conversation. After I refused to give him the satisfaction of turning to look at him, he switched targets to a trombone ranting at him calling him overweight and saying he can't play a real sport. After our halftime show, the same fine gentleman called a female member of the band the "c" word.

Dominic Raiola harassed Wisconsin marching band, school official tells SB Nation

 University of Wisconsin Director of Bands Michael Leckrone addressed the verbal harassment UW's marching band was subjected to Sunday by Detroit Lions center Dominic Raiola.

Michael Leckrone, Professor of Music and Director of Bands, told SB Nation's Ryan Van Bibber that Raiola's "verbal tirade" was obscene, homophobic and highly intimidating:

"My kids were standing in the end zone, waiting to perform, when they were subjected to some pretty strong verbal abuse," Michael Leckrone, director of bands for the University of Wisconsin told SB Nation on Monday.

"They were highly intimidated by it, by a 295-pound lineman saying those things to a 165-pound clarinet player," Leckrone added.

[...]

"It's a shame that it was spoiled," Leckrone said. "It's a shame that one individual doesn't reflect well on the entire Lions organization. It was totally uncalled for and inappropriate."

The Lions are investigating the claims and have issued the following statement, per MLive.com:

"Those reports are extremely inconsistent with the standard of behavior we expect from our players and from every member of our organization," the team said in a statement. "We currently are gathering more information and will respond further when appropriate."

Raiola later downplayed the incident to reporters Monday morning.

In addition to York's claims, NFL Draft scouting guru Tom Melton reports Raiola also spewed offensive comments regarding one band member's sister (NSFW language is posted in full at that link). Melton also reports Lions defensive back Louis Delmas apologized to the band member for Raiola's comments.

Jay Sorgi of TMJ4 interviewed a band member's father, and his comments can be heard here.

Raiola, 34, is a 13-year NFL veteran. He was drafted in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft out of Nebraska, which could potentially add some fuel to the Badgers-Huskers rivalry. Wisconsin and Nebraska do not play this year, though they could meet in the Big Ten Championship game in December.

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