New details have emerged about the late Robert Champion. ESPN investigative reporter Mike Fish says, based on interviews ESPN has conducted, it is widely known that Champion was a member of the Red Dawg Order. Christopher Chestnut, the attorney representing Champion's parents, has told the media that the family thinks Nov. 19, 2011 was the first time their son was ever a victim of hazing.According to Fish’s report: “It was known that some viewed Champion as lame or a kiss-ass because of his outspoken opposition to hazing, although -- years earlier, as a freshman -- he'd been initiated into the Red Dawg Order, a sizable band subgroup of members from Georgia.”
The Red Dawg Order is a group that has a reputation for hazing. Back in December 2011, three men who were alleged members of the Red Dawg Order were booked on charges that they hazed Marching 100 student Bria Hunter. Hunter suffered a broken thigh and blood clouts after being fist-punched and beaten with a metal ruler during an unauthorized initiation process.
Marching 100 member Keon Hollis, a drum major who went through the “Crossing Bus C” initiation on Nov. 19th, also said that he and Champion voluntarily submitted themselves to the hazing ritual.
Fish reported: “Crossing Bus C enhances standing within the band's most influential and boisterous section, the percussion players -- the drummers. It's difficult functioning as a drum major without the section in your corner. But, from an even broader perspective, crossing also brings additional respect within the band, something Hollis confides that he and Champion were short of when they stepped on the bus.”
"I felt like that played a major part [in] his decision," Hollis said, "because, like me, he probably thought, 'OK, if I do the bus, I'm going to get more respect from my band members. The people that disrespect me, they're going to respect me because I did Bus C.'"