So on Tuesday, Ramogi Huma, a former UCLA linebacker and current president of the National College Players Association, filed a petition in Chicago on behalf of Northwestern players to be represented by a labor union.

“A lot of people will think this is all about money; it’s not,” Colter told Teddy Greenstein of the Tribune. “Everything now is in the hands of the lawyers. We’re not expecting a decision to be made right away. It might take a year or two or go all the way to the Supreme Court.”

ESPN first reported that the Northwestern players filed to the National Labor Relations Board national and regional offices on Monday in an effort to be recognized as employees.

Later Tuesday, the NCAA released a statement.

"This union-backed attempt to turn student-athletes into employees undermines the purpose of college: an education," NCAA Chief Legal Officer Donald Remy said. "Student-athletes are not employees, and their participation in college sports is voluntary. We stand for all student-athletes, not just those the unions want to professionalize.

"Many student athletes are provided scholarships and many other benefits for their participation. There is no employment relationship between the NCAA, its affiliated institutions or student-athletes.

"Student-athletes are not employees within any definition of the National Labor Relations Act or the Fair Labor Standards Act. We are confident the National Labor Relations Board will find in our favor, as there is no right to organize student-athletes."

Colter has completed is college eligibility. This past season as a senior, he threw for 577 yards and four TDs and ran for 489 yards and five scores.


RUTGERS EYES FRIEDGEN


A person familiar with the negotiations tells the Associated Press that Rutgers is close to hiring former Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen as its offensive coordinator.

The person spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because contract details were still being worked out.

Friedgen coached the Terrapins from 2001-10 and went 75-50, including 9-4 in his last season. He was 5-2 in bowl games and won AP national coach of the year honors in 2001. He has been out of coaching the past three seasons.

He would replace Ron Prince, who left Rutgers to take a job as an NFL assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.


FRANKLIN ATTENDS OBAMA’S SPEECH


Penn State head coach James Franklin attended President Obama’s State of the Union Address Tuesday.

Franklin attedned as the guest of U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania.

“I am grateful and very appreciative of Rep. Glenn Thompson’s invitation to attend the President’s State of the Union Address,” Franklin said in a statement before the event. “I look forward to hearing the President’s vision for 2014 and beyond and what we, as citizens of the greatest union in the world, can do to help move our nation forward.”

Franklin spent the past three years leading Vanderbilt to unprecedented success. The Commodores went to three consecutive bowl games for the first time in school history.

On Jan. 11, Penn State announced that it had hired Franklin to replace Bill O’Brien, who left the Nittany Lions after two seasons to become head coach of the Houston Texans in the NFL.

“With the beginning of a new year, we are filled with a sense of optimism and possibility,” said Thompson, a graduate of Penn State. “The State of the Union offers us the chance to reflect upon the previous year and provides us with a preview of the challenges and opportunities that we face together. Given these sentiments, it’s an honor to have Coach Franklin as my guest for this occasion.”  


RUTGERS COACH DIDN’T BULLY


A law firm's investigation has determined that a former assistant football coach for Rutgers did not bully a former player and there was no retaliation against the player.

The report issued Tuesday also found the university responded appropriately in the matter involving cornerback Jevon Tyree. The investigation was done by Saiber LLC, a firm with offices in Florham Park and Newark.

Tyree left the team last November after alleging that then-defensive coordinator Dave Cohen had verbally abused him and threatened to head-butt him during a spring study hall session at the school in New Brunswick. The player said the assistant then treated him unfairly once the season started.

The incident took place in front of teammates and an academic adviser, who reported it at a time when Rutgers was under national scrutiny following the release of videotapes showing then-basketball coach Mike Rice verbally and physically abusing his players while yelling homophobic slurs.

The investigation found Cohen did use inappropriate language toward Tyree, but also found head coach Kyle Flood took appropriate action within hours of being informed. It noted Flood immediately admonished Cohen and addressed the situation with the entire coaching staff.

Cohen was one of three football assistants fired after the season ended. He was hired this month as defensive line coach at Wake Forest.

Rutgers athletic officials referred calls seeking comment on the report to university officials.

"It was an unfortunate event, but we were happy to find that within hours of these issues being brought to the attention (of athletics officials), action was taken," university spokesman Pete McDonough said Tuesday. "It's reassuring to know that our systems are working."

The firm interviewed nearly 40 people, including Tyree and his parents, Cohen and Flood and Rutgers athletic director Julie Hermann. The firm also reviewed numerous relevant documents, including available telephone records and emails.

The investigation found that although this occurred before her appointment, Hermann took appropriate action immediately after learning of the situation in September 2013. It also found that telephone calls she received about that time from a person she believed was Tyree's father were actually made by another unknown person.

A telephone number for Tyree's parents rang unanswered Tuesday afternoon.


PLAYER SAYS HE’S BISEXUAL


A redshirt freshman place kicker at Division III Willamette in Salem, Ore., has announced that he is bisexual, saying he decided to come forward because he wanted to be a source of encouragement for LGBT youth.

Conner Mertens, who first announced his sexual orientation through the website Outsports.com, had already told his coaches and his teammates. The school scheduled a news conference Tuesday afternoon to discuss his announcement.

Willamette issued a statement supporting Mertens' decision, saying the university "respects his contribution to a more humane and just world."

The Bearcats play in the Northwest Conference. The team went 7-2 overall last season and finished third in the league at 4-2. 	Mertens did not play his freshman season because of injury.

Contributors: Ken Bradley, The Associated Press