Former Illini Football offensive lineman Simo Cvijanović has taken to Twitter to voice his unhappiness (putting it lightly) towards how he’s been treated by Head Coach Tim Beckman in regards to his injuries. You can read the stream of tweets below:
I stopped playing football because of my physical health. I was asked to push myself past pain until I didn’t want to play anymore. #truth
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
Toby Harkins worked for months as our head trainer and was not a licensed medical professional in the state of Illinois. He was fired.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
Toby Harkins worked for months as our head trainer and was not a licensed medical professional in the state of Illinois. He was fired.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
We don’t talk about how we’re mistreated because we’re then “not a team player” or “soft” but no one pays the bill when we’re gone.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
I’m not gonna just keep quiet while players suffer
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
To the players understanding DrGurtler was also fired from his position as the head dr but is still listed as such 2 years later on gameday.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
Teammate @KennyKnight was attacked by @coachbeckman in the fall of 2013 at practice and his interview w about it @TaylorRooks was covered
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
I met w @coachbeckman this Friday and was kicked out of his office cuz he couldn’t answer y I wasn’t invited to the senior banquet.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
I didn’t want this to get out because I love my school. But they seem to not care @Illinois_Alma @IlliniAthletics @coachbeckman #Illini
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
4 years starting, big ten media day rep, two time game MVP (Cinci’13/Minn’14), and “Simon’s a quitter”-@coachbeckman
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
Speak up and unionize. There is NO loss for you unless your coach is a violator https://t.co/0YJYnzmSJg
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
I have to see therapy for the rest of my life because I wasn’t given an option to have my knee repaired.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
Coaches think they’re doctors but haven’t even played 10% as much as I have @coachbeckman #47yearscoach lol
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
The @NCAA doesn’t care, the @BigTenNetwork doesn’t care, and the @Illinois_Alma doesn’t care #followthemoney
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
I wasn’t raised to keep quite when things are wrong, no matter how much the fix might cost.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
The @NCAA reps the universities who rep athletics, but athletics are the jocks and the unv is the nerds.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
The university keeps athletics happy at all costs
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
There is no one to speak on the behalf of the student athlete
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
Ask @coachbeckman harder questions and he will crack. I tried and he did.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
Why was I uninvited to the senior banquet after leaving the team? I was seeing their doctors.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
Why was I not allowed to come to the bowl game after starting in 4 wins
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
A leader stands up for what is right not for a coaches salary.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
WHEN @coachbeckman is fired you’ll hear plenty more stories but right now he’s dangling scholarships like a carrot
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
Why don’t my medical records match what happened in meetings with doctors?
What is loyalty? Making Illinois for coaches and keeping quiet about their fuck ups?
My knee had a tear in the meniscus. Takes 6 months to heel if repaired. Ask @drose Instead I was told it was no big deal. Back in two weeks
8months later I found out my meniscus is almost completely gone. No MRI’s no surgery pictures for 8months
My girlfriends gets the same scholarship I get and only needs a 3.5gpa. I have to deal with all this bullshit? How was my school free? Plz
“Sore loser” you say, I say abused. Our edu isn’t free. We have to belittle ourselves to the ranks of livestock. Or our “free” edu goes away
Just stay out of my way. Or come say it to my face. https://t.co/eGU19hFwpL
I love football. How do I leave? Since you have the answers… https://t.co/Yiymb0qLm3
What else would I say at the time? I hate coach beckman? It’s was a lie. That’s my response. https://t.co/1CYyEC3fxf
You want to truth keep reading cuz I don’t have reason to lie anymore. I’m protecting the teammate’s I love.
Like I said come say it to my face bitch https://t.co/uB290EiWJ4
Either way, #followthemoney
Plenty of people already think I’m a quitter. Chances are they have a similar story and are scared, or they haven’t been through it.
I have plenty of currently players texting me to keep going so I’m not gonna stop.
Ask @lbutkus71 why he left…
The @NCAA has created a monster that spits out problem children. I went in happy and healthy. Now I’m just tweeting about it.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
You don’t hear about the bad things for a reason. #followthemoney
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 10, 2015
It’s a joke that people try using our “free ride” as an excuse for unprofessional behavior. I’m not a “professional”, but @coachbeckman is.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 11, 2015
Only a union would save my public display of hatred. I’m tired of turning circles. WE’RE ON AN ISLAND https://t.co/NOSYJs5zmE
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 11, 2015
The coach has complete control over scholarship. If he doesn’t want you he can make any rule for you to break.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 11, 2015
Or make you hate football. This is @coachbeckman ‘s coaching strategy, conform or you’ll really hate it.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 11, 2015
Which lawyer. I don’t think a lawyer would advise my angry tweets. I’m doing me. Me and my fellow Illini. https://t.co/HE4SpVblX4
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 11, 2015
Attention media, DO NOT let @coachbeckman lie to you. I have only seen HIS doctors and HIS medical staff. I know my body.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 11, 2015
I would have pushed through the pain to play in the bowl even for a few series. But wasn’t invited.
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 11, 2015
How is that a solution? I wasn’t allowed to sit on the bench, let alone leave the campus… https://t.co/wkpg7pdkMQ
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 11, 2015
At 50% I was better than my backup because Beckman asked me to switch to right tackle to give my left arm and knee a break. #makessense
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 11, 2015
I can tweet all day about this shit. It’s hard to stop thinking about there’s posters all over champaign of your jersey. #68
— Simon Cvijanović (@IlliniSi) May 11, 2015
We’ll update the tweets as they come through.
Patrick Singer
Executive Editor