FAMU band member details hazing death of roommate to HBO Sports

Rikki Wills, Age 24

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -  A roommate of Florida A&M drum major Robert Champion, who died last year following a hazing ritual from other band members, told HBO's Real Sports how Champion was literally beaten to death in the back of the band's bus.

Rikki Wills, Champion's former roommate, spoke about what happened last November that led to Champion's death. Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel debuts on HBO Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
CBSSports.com obtained an advance copy of the segment reported by Real Sports correspondent Frank Deford.

Eleven FAMU band members face felony hazing charges and two others face misdemeanor counts for alleged roles in Champion's hazing. Wills is one of the 13 charged and the first defendant to speak publicly about the incident, according to HBO. He said he tried to protect Champion during the hazing.  The band's initiation is called “Crossing Bus C” and took place on the band's bus after an FAMU football game behind the band's hotel in Orlando, Fla., Wills told Deford.

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