5 Devastating Truths Revealed In The 'Surviving Ohio State' Trailer And Documentary

The HBO Original Documentary Surviving Ohio State has thrust one of the most devastating and long-overlooked scandals in collegiate sports back into the national spotlight, with its trailer providing a chilling glimpse into decades of institutional failure. Released in conjunction with the documentary's 2025 premiere, the official trailer immediately established the film’s tone: a stark, emotionally raw examination of the sexual abuse committed by former Ohio State University team doctor Richard Strauss and the university's systemic failure to stop him.

As of December 2025, the documentary, produced by Hollywood heavyweights George Clooney and Grant Heslov, continues to generate widespread discussion, forcing a painful reckoning for the university and its global fanbase, known as Buckeye Nation. The trailer, often described as a 'gut punch' by critics, perfectly encapsulated the core conflict: the glossy, gold-standard image of the Ohio State Athletic Department shattered by the harrowing testimony of male survivors who felt "powerless" against a trusted physician.

The Central Figure and the Scandal's Full Biography

The entire documentary, and the trailer that preceded it, centers on the decades-long tenure of one man and the devastating ripple effect of his actions.

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• Name: Dr. Richard Strauss
• Role at OSU: Physician and Professor of Clinical Medicine, primarily treating students and student-athletes.
• Tenure: 1978 to 1998.
• Allegations: Sexual abuse, sexual assault, and rape of hundreds of male students and student-athletes.
• Victim Profile: Male students and athletes from at least 14 sports, including wrestling, football, and swimming.
• Investigation Finding (2019): An independent investigation concluded that Strauss abused at least 177 male students.
• Death: Richard Strauss died by suicide in 2005, never facing criminal charges for the allegations.
• Institutional Knowledge: The investigation found that at least 17 university employees knew or had received complaints about Strauss's misconduct during his tenure, yet no meaningful action was taken.

1. The Chilling Juxtaposition of the 'Buckeye Dream'

One of the most effective narrative techniques employed in the Surviving Ohio State trailer is the stark contrast it draws between the university’s public image and the private horror experienced by the victims. The opening moments of the trailer feature sweeping shots of The Ohio State University (OSU) campus, iconic Ohio Stadium, and triumphant athletic scenes, accompanied by voiceovers speaking of the "Buckeye Dream" and the athletic department being the "gold standard" in the nation.

This triumphant imagery is quickly shattered by the first-person accounts of the survivors. The trailer uses short, powerful soundbites—"We were powerless," "Nobody said anything," and "It was an open secret"—to transition from a celebration of collegiate sports to an indictment of institutional failure. This juxtaposition is a key element of the documentary’s mission: to expose how the university’s obsession with its athletic brand allowed Dr. Strauss to operate with impunity for two decades, from 1978 to 1998.

The trailer's emotional arc is a deliberate attempt by director Eva Orner to capture the sense of betrayal felt by the male victims. They were there to pursue their dreams, only to find themselves trapped in an environment where their complaints were reportedly ignored by staff, coaches, and administrators who prioritized the university's reputation over student safety.

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2. The Shocking Scale of the Abuse and Institutional Cover-Up

While the trailer provides a brief overview, the full documentary delves into the overwhelming scale of the scandal, a detail that is crucial for establishing the film's topical authority. The scope of Dr. Richard Strauss’s abuse is staggering, involving hundreds of students and student-athletes across at least 14 sports teams.

The investigation confirmed that Strauss committed abuse during his time at OSU, but the trailer hints at the more damning revelation: that numerous university officials, coaches, and staff members were aware of the misconduct. The documentary builds on the findings of an independent report, which concluded that at least 17 university employees had knowledge of the abuse yet failed to take effective action. This institutional failure forms the backbone of the survivors' fight for accountability. The documentary asks the tough question: how could such widespread abuse continue unchecked for 20 years?

The trailer's focus on the survivors' faces and emotional testimony is a powerful reminder that the story is not just about a disgraced doctor, but about the systemic protection of a powerful institution. The film highlights the efforts of survivors who filed lawsuits, forcing OSU to confront its past.

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3. The Financial and Legal Fallout: Over $60 Million in Settlements

The financial consequences of the scandal are a grim measure of the university's culpability, and the trailer subtly underscores the legal battle that followed. The documentary covers the extensive litigation that The Ohio State University has faced. As of the latest updates, OSU has reached settlement agreements with a significant number of survivors.

The university has agreed to pay more than $60 million to settle claims from 296 survivors, with one major settlement alone totaling $40.9 million for 162 claimants.

These large-scale settlements, which are among the largest in collegiate history, are a clear acknowledgment of the university's liability and its failure to protect its students. The trailer uses the urgency of the legal fight to drive the narrative, showing the survivors’ determination to ensure that the university is held financially and morally accountable for the trauma inflicted by Strauss.

4. The Jim Jordan Controversy and Political Dimensions

The scandal took on a political dimension that the documentary, and its promotional trailer, do not shy away from. The trailer includes mentions of Congressman Jim Jordan, a former assistant wrestling coach at OSU from 1987 to 1886.

Jordan has consistently denied any knowledge of the sexual abuse committed by Dr. Strauss during his time as a coach. However, several former wrestlers have publicly accused him of being aware of the abuse. The inclusion of this controversy in the documentary elevates the scandal beyond a simple collegiate issue, suggesting a broader culture of silence and complicity that reached into the highest levels of the athletic department and, potentially, into the political arena. The documentary promises to explore these claims, adding another layer of complexity to the institutional cover-up.

5. The Legacy of the Survivors' Fight and Ongoing Reform

Ultimately, the Surviving Ohio State trailer is not just a story of abuse; it is a testament to the resilience of the male victims. Their collective courage in coming forward, years after the fact, is what finally forced a national conversation and compelled the university to act. The documentary is a powerful vehicle for their voices, ensuring the scandal is not forgotten, as noted in Jon Wertheim's Sports Illustrated article that initially brought the issue to light.

In response to the scandal, The Ohio State University has implemented significant changes to its policies and procedures, including mandatory Sexual Misconduct Prevention Education for all students, faculty, and staff (since 2015), and an enhanced credentialing process for all physicians (since 2018).

The documentary, produced by George Clooney's Smoke House Pictures, serves as a permanent record of this dark chapter in Buckeye Nation history. It is a stark warning about the dangers of prioritizing institutional reputation over human safety, and a tribute to the survivors who continue to fight for transparency and justice, ensuring that Dr. Strauss’s victims are heard and their trauma is never minimized.