Malachi Biggs vs. DeSean Jackson & Delaware State University: Locker Room Assault Lawsuit Full Breakdown

Malachi Biggs vs. DeSean Jackson, Delaware State University, et al. is a personal injury and negligence lawsuit in which freshman defensive back Malachi Biggs alleged that Delaware State University head football coach DeSean Jackson and the university fostered a dangerous “tough guy” culture that allowed a locker room chokehold assault on November 19, 2025, to occur — leaving Biggs with a fractured jaw, severe dental damage, and career-threatening injuries. 

The complaint was filed on April 24, 2026, in the Superior Court for the State of Delaware, and names Jackson, Delaware State University, assistant coach Travis Clark, Director of Football Operations Jane Hicks, and teammate Anthony Hebert as defendants. Jackson denies all allegations.

Quick-Facts

Field	Detail
Plaintiff	Malachi Biggs (safety/defensive back, Delaware State University football)
Defendants	DeSean Jackson (Head Football Coach, DSU); Delaware State University; Travis Clark (Assistant/Associate Head Coach); Jane Hicks (Director of Football Operations); Anthony Hebert (fellow student-athlete)
Case Type	Personal Injury / Negligence / Hazing / Institutional Liability
Court	Superior Court for the State of Delaware
Date Filed	April 24, 2026
Legal Claims	Negligent supervision; failure to discipline violent conduct; creation of a dangerous environment permitting hazing and bullying; personal liability for the alleged assault (Hebert)
Damages Sought	Medical bills, pain and suffering, past and future lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and other damages — specific dollar amount TBD from docket
Current Stage	Active — recently filed; no hearing date set
Next Scheduled Date	TBD — pending court scheduling
Plaintiff’s Counsel	John Morgan (founder) and attorney Georgia Pham, Morgan & Morgan
Last Updated	April 24, 2026

Case Timeline

Date	Event
January 2025	DeSean Jackson hired as head football coach at Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware
November 19, 2025	Alleged locker room assault occurs before a 6:30 a.m. practice — Biggs rendered unconscious by a chokehold, per the complaint
November 22, 2025 (approx.)	The student-athlete alleged to have assaulted Biggs plays in a DSU game three days after the incident, according to the complaint
December 1, 2025	Biggs undergoes surgery for injuries sustained in the incident
April 10, 2026	Biggs still undergoing medical treatment and out of school, according to the complaint
April 24, 2026	Complaint filed in Superior Court for the State of Delaware
April 24, 2026	DeSean Jackson issues public response via Instagram, denying all allegations
Next hearing	TBD — pending court scheduling

What Is the Malachi Biggs vs. DeSean Jackson Lawsuit About?

This case is a personal injury and negligent supervision lawsuit alleging that Delaware State University and its football coaching staff created and permitted a toxic culture of hazing, bullying, and violence that directly enabled a serious assault on a first-year student-athlete. According to the complaint filed in the Superior Court for the State of Delaware, on November 19, 2025 — before a 6:30 a.m. practice — freshman safety Malachi Biggs entered the DSU football locker room after arriving early for treatment.

According to the complaint, fellow defensive back Anthony Hebert first approached and choked a separate teammate over a post on Instagram, then turned his attention to Biggs, placing him in a chokehold and ignoring his repeated attempts to “tap out.” Biggs lost consciousness and was dropped to the ground head- or face-first, according to the complaint.

The injuries Biggs allegedly sustained were severe. According to the complaint, he suffered multiple fractures to his jaw, a deep laceration to his chin requiring surgery, and irreparable damage to at least a dozen teeth requiring extraction, root canals, and additional invasive dental treatments. Biggs underwent surgery on December 1, 2025, and as of April 10, 2026 — the date cited in the complaint — remained out of school and still receiving ongoing dental and oral care. His lawyers at Morgan & Morgan stated he suffered injuries that may be “career-ending and have permanently derailed his life.”

The complaint extends beyond the assault itself to allege systemic failure by the coaching staff. According to the filing, Jackson, Clark, and Hicks permitted a coaching philosophy that “relied heavily upon the use of gang-associated slang and gang-associated mentality,” encouraged players not to allow others to “disrespect” them, and dismissed violent incidents as mere “horseplay.”

The complaint further states that Hebert was not disciplined by Jackson following the incident and was allowed to play in a game approximately three days later. After graduating in 2026, Hebert was then employed as a member of the DSU coaching staff, according to the complaint. Jackson took over as Delaware State head coach in January 2025 and led the Hornets to an 8–4 record in his first season — the program’s best since 2007 — and received a contract extension through 2028.

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Who Are the Parties Involved In Malachi Biggs vs. DeSean Jackson?

Malachi Biggs is a North Carolina resident who enrolled at Delaware State University and joined its football program as a freshman safety and defensive back. According to the complaint, he came to DSU to pursue the sport he loved and has been left with serious, potentially career-ending physical injuries and significant ongoing medical needs. He is represented by Morgan & Morgan, the national personal injury law firm whose founder, John Morgan, and attorney Georgia Pham have both spoken publicly about the case.

DeSean Jackson, 39, is a former 15-year NFL wide receiver who played eight of those seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and was named to three Pro Bowls. Jackson was hired as Delaware State’s head football coach in January 2025 — his first college coaching role — and immediately led the program to its best season in nearly two decades. Delaware State extended his contract through the 2028 season. In response to the lawsuit, Jackson issued a statement on Instagram stating: “I take the safety, well-being, and development of every student-athlete in the Delaware State University football program seriously. I have never fostered or encouraged hazing, bullying, or any violent environment, and that has never been the culture I have worked to build.” He declined to comment further, citing the pending litigation. Delaware State University said through a spokesperson that it does not comment on pending litigation. The other named defendants — Travis Clark (assistant/associate head coach), Jane Hicks (Director of Football Operations), and Anthony Hebert (the teammate alleged to have committed the assault) — have not issued public statements as of the filing date.

What Is at Stake in Malachi Biggs vs. DeSean Jackson Lawsuit?

The financial stakes for Biggs include recovery for all medical expenses — including the December 1, 2025 surgery, ongoing dental procedures, and future treatment — as well as past and future lost wages and loss of earning capacity, reflecting the claim that a football career he trained for has been derailed or ended before it began. The complaint does not state a specific dollar figure for damages, which is common in personal injury filings in Delaware.

For DeSean Jackson and Delaware State University, the institutional stakes are significant. If the court finds that the coaching staff’s conduct created a foreseeable risk of harm to student-athletes, both the individuals named and the university itself face potential financial liability and reputational damage. The allegation that the student-athlete who allegedly committed the assault was allowed to play in a game three days later — and later joined the coaching staff — is central to the plaintiff’s argument that the university failed to take meaningful corrective action. Delaware state law, like most state laws, imposes a duty of care on institutions and supervisors who have control over the environment in which harm occurs, particularly when the potential for violence was known or should have been known.

The case also carries broader significance for HBCU athletic programs and college football generally. It highlights unresolved questions about how coaching staffs at all levels define discipline, team culture, and the line between physical toughness and institutional tolerance of violence. The use of language the complaint characterizes as “gang-associated” as a coaching tool — and the framing of serious assaults as “horseplay” — are the factual allegations at the heart of the negligent supervision theory.

What Happens Next in Malachi Biggs vs. DeSean Jackson Case?

The complaint was filed on April 24, 2026, in the Superior Court for the State of Delaware, the court with civil jurisdiction in the state where Delaware State University is located in Dover. The next procedural step will be service of process on each named defendant, after which defendants will have the opportunity to respond to the complaint. The university and the coaching staff defendants may file motions to dismiss or answer the allegations directly.

Morgan & Morgan has not indicated whether it is seeking emergency or preliminary relief. There is no trial date set. Delaware State University confirmed it does not comment on pending litigation. DeSean Jackson has stated publicly he will not comment further due to the pending legal matter. This page will be updated as the court docket develops.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who filed this lawsuit and why?

Malachi Biggs, a freshman safety and defensive back at Delaware State University, filed the complaint on April 24, 2026, in the Superior Court for the State of Delaware. According to the complaint, Biggs alleged that an assault by teammate Anthony Hebert on November 19, 2025 — which the coaching staff allegedly dismissed and failed to discipline — left him with a fractured jaw, severe dental injuries, and potentially career-ending physical damage.

What court is handling this case?

 The case is pending in the Superior Court for the State of Delaware, the state trial court with jurisdiction over civil claims in Delaware, where Delaware State University is located in Dover.

What is the current status of the case? 

The case is active and in the earliest stage of proceedings. The complaint was filed on April 24, 2026. No hearing date has been set. Defendants have not yet formally responded to the complaint.

How much is the plaintiff seeking in damages? 

The complaint does not state a specific dollar figure. Biggs is seeking compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, past and future lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and other damages — amounts to be determined through the litigation process.

Can I read the court documents?

 The complaint was filed in the Superior Court for the State of Delaware. On3 obtained a copy of the complaint directly. Delaware court records may be accessible through the Delaware Courts public access portal at courts.delaware.gov.

Did DeSean Jackson respond to the lawsuit? 

Yes. Jackson issued a statement on Instagram on April 23 or 24, 2026, stating: “I take the safety, well-being, and development of every student-athlete in the Delaware State University football program seriously. I have never fostered or encouraged hazing, bullying, or any violent environment.” He declined further comment citing the pending litigation. Delaware State University said it does not comment on pending litigation.

What injuries did Malachi Biggs allegedly suffer?

 According to the complaint, Biggs suffered multiple fractures to his jaw, a deep laceration to his chin requiring surgery on December 1, 2025, and irreparable damage to at least a dozen teeth requiring extraction, root canals, and additional invasive dental treatments. As of April 10, 2026, he remained out of school and was still receiving medical care.

Was anyone disciplined after the alleged assault?

 According to the complaint, the student-athlete alleged to have committed the assault — Anthony Hebert — was not disciplined by the coaching staff and was allowed to play in a Delaware State game approximately three days after the alleged November 19, 2025 incident. After graduating in 2026, Hebert was subsequently employed as a member of the DSU coaching staff, according to the complaint. These allegations are disputed — DeSean Jackson has denied fostering any culture of violence or bullying.

Sources & References

• Philadelphia Inquirer (April 23, 2026): DeSean Jackson’s ‘tough guy’ mentality led to locker room assault at Delaware State, lawsuit says

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against verified reporting from the Philadelphia Inquirer, CBS Philadelphia, On3, and HBCU Gameday on April 24, 2026. Last Updated: April 24, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Information about ongoing legal cases is based on publicly available court records and verified reporting. Allegations described in this article have not been proven in court. For advice regarding a particular legal situation, consult a qualified attorney.