A former University of Utah football player’s lawsuit alleging discrimination because of Type 1 diabetes is drawing renewed attention to how federal disability laws apply within major college athletics, particularly when medical clearance and coaching discretion collide.
Devin Green, a running back who transferred from UNLV to Utah in the spring of 2025, filed suit this week in U.S. District Court in Utah, alleging that coaches and administrators violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 by restricting his participation because of his medical condition.
According to the complaint, Green was medically cleared by the university’s sports medicine staff to fully participate in football activities. Despite that clearance, the lawsuit alleges Utah running backs coach Mark Atuaia repeatedly limited Green’s practice reps, excluded him from full-contact drills, and barred him from traveling or dressing for most games during the 2025 season.
Green alleges those decisions were not grounded in performance, effort or competitive evaluation, but rather in what the lawsuit characterizes as fear and misconceptions about managing diabetes in a football setting.
Athletes Must be Judged on Ability to Perform Essential Functions of their Sport
The ADA and Rehabilitation Act prohibit institutions receiving federal funding from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities and require reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to programs and opportunities. In the context of college athletics, courts have generally recognized that student-athletes with disabilities must be evaluated based on their ability to perform essential functions of their sport, not on stereotypes or unfounded safety concerns.
Green’s complaint alleges that Utah officials failed to meet those obligations by allowing a coach to override medical determinations without any formal policy requiring deference to health professionals when disability-related issues were involved.
“In one instance, despite being medically cleared and participating in initial drills for a team scrimmage, Green was held out after the coach said he was ‘scared’ to put him in because of diabetes,” the lawsuit states. The complaint further alleges the coach acknowledged the decision was unrelated to Green’s talent or preparation.
The lawsuit names former head coach Kyle Whittingham and athletic director Mark Harlan as defendants, alleging they knew or should have known about the restrictions placed on Green and failed to intervene. Several senior athletic department administrators are also named, accused of failing to enforce compliance with federal disability law.
Green also alleges he was excluded from team travel and game-day participation throughout the season. He dressed for one game against BYU but did not play.
After the season, the lawsuit claims Atuaia directed Green to enter the NCAA transfer portal, allegedly stating he could not “push” him because of his diabetes. Green contends his athletic scholarship was later terminated without meaningful notice, even though he wished to remain at the university and continue his education.
Under the Rehabilitation Act, colleges that receive federal funding—including public universities—may not exclude or deny benefits to a qualified student with a disability solely because of that disability. Courts have repeatedly emphasized that institutions must engage in individualized assessments rather than blanket assumptions about medical conditions.
Green alleges that Utah’s failure to implement or enforce policies requiring coaches to follow medical clearance decisions created a system in which disability-based exclusions could occur unchecked.
The complaint states that Green has received no interest from other programs since entering the transfer portal, which he attributes to the lost evaluation opportunities and reduced visibility during the season. He alleges the situation has caused severe emotional distress and disrupted both his athletic and academic trajectory.
In a brief statement, the University of Utah said it is aware of the lawsuit and declined further comment, citing pending litigation.
Green is seeking a jury trial and unspecified damages. Beyond the individual claims, the case may test how rigorously disability law applies to internal decision-making within high-level college sports programs—particularly when a coach’s judgment conflicts with medical professionals tasked with safeguarding athlete health and access.
As college athletics continues to grapple with athlete rights, health management and institutional accountability, the lawsuit highlights the legal risks universities face when disability protections are not clearly defined or consistently enforced.
