Video shows sexualized hazing incident by Elk Grove High School football players
A video obtained by The Sacramento Bee shows an Elk Grove High School student being assaulted by three varsity football players as a part of a hazing incident.
The incident depicted in the video led to a school investigation and a Sept. 4 letter to the Thundering Herd football players’ parents.
The thirty-second clip was posted to an Instagram account with the caption “Stop playing with the herd!!” and “This is what happens at elk grove,” alongside a cry-laughing emoji. It shows a student in the corner of the locker room being repeatedly subject to forced simulated sex acts by older students. Throughout the video, two older players take turns grabbing the underclassman’s head and forcing each of their groins into his face as at least two more players cheer.
Two sources with knowledge of the situation but not authorized to speak publicly about it told The Sacramento Bee on Monday that the video shows three varsity players perpetrating the acts on a freshman.
The video, sent to The Bee by a source with knowledge of the situation, is screencaptured from an Instagram story, a post which is only available for 24 hours. The profile that reposted the video has since been taken down.
The varsity players involved in the locker room incident were suspended from the team for violations of the school’s code of conduct handbook that each student-athlete must review and agree with before competing, the sources said. Those players did not play in Elk Grove’s home opener on Friday against Golden Valley of Merced, which they won.
It is unclear whether or not the players will be removed from the team.
The Sacramento Sheriff’s Department told The Bee Monday that at the time, there was “no information, evidence or allegations indicating any type of sex crime(s).” Spokesperson Amar Gandhi had not responded as of 3 p.m. Tuesday to The Bee’s inquiry asking if the department has seen the contents of the video.
Hazing or sexual assault
Todd Shelton, executive director of the Hazing Prevention Network, said that the incident in the locker room can be categorized as both a sexual assault and a hazing incident, typically referred to as “sexualized hazing.”
“There can be sexual assault that is part of a hazing incident — one does not exclude the other,” he said.
The presence of a power dynamic, like that between a freshman and senior members of the varsity team, is a key indicator of hazing.
Shelton said that while sexualized hazing is commonly associated with college organizations like fraternities, it is also frequently observed in high school sports. He referenced a recent federal civil rights lawsuit filed against an Ohio high school for alleged football team hazing which involved physical and sexual assault.
“For too long people have associated hazing with college, but it’s happening in high school, it’s happening earlier than high school,” he said.
To prevent hazing, Shelton said that it is important for a school or district to have clear policies prohibiting acts of hazing and to offer clear ways for students to report incidents. To discourage future hazing, the school should thoroughly investigate and hold perpetrators accountable.
Although hazing can seem like classic “locker room behavior” or an instance of “boys being boys,” hazing scenarios can severely affect those involved. In more extreme cases, particularly those that involve drugs or alcohol, victims of hazing can become injured or even die from acts of hazing.
“In an instance like at Elk Grove, we don’t necessarily know the emotional or mental harm to the victim, but there is clearly the potential for mental and physical and emotional harm to the victims of hazing, and no one should have to suffer through that,” Shelton said. “You shouldn’t have to fear harm to be a part of something.”
This story was originally published September 9, 2025 at 3:04 PM.
