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The young son of NFL Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson was allegedly called the N-word and subjected to vicious bullying and physical attacks by classmates at an elite California Christian school that charges nearly $48,000 a year in tuition, according to a new lawsuit obtained by the California Post.
Dickerson’s sixth-grade son (DD), who is black, was subjected to a year of racial harassment at Oaks Christian School during the 2024-2025 academic year — including being repeatedly called the N-word by classmates, compared to an animal and labeled with a racist nickname, according to the complaint filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court last week.
“His family repeatedly told Oaks Christian what was happening and asked the school to protect him,” Robert Glassman, the family’s attorney, told the California Post. “Instead of stopping the abuse, the school allowed it to continue.”
“No child should be subjected to racial harassment or physical violence at school while the adults entrusted with his safety fail to act,” he added.
The lawsuit accuses the posh Westlake Village school of negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress and violating California’s Unruh Civil Rights Act.
“(DD) was a Black child who came to Oaks Christian School to learn and to grow. Instead, over the course of his sixth-grade year, (DD) was subjected to relentless racial harassment, bullying, and physical assault,” the lawsuit alleges.
One student repeatedly directed racial slurs at the sixth grader, including during a school-sponsored zoo field trip, where the student allegedly compared him to an animal, according to the complaint.
The same student who allegedly leveled the racist attack was also known to carry a knife on campus, yet school administrators imposed no discipline for the alleged harassment or the weapon, according to the lawsuit.
A female student allegedly struck (DD) in the head during lunch, took his food and deliberately poured out his water, according to the complaint. The school reviewed video and confirmed the assault had occurred, but merely spoke to the female student and told her not to do it again.
The most humiliating episode allegedly unfolded during music class, when students were discussing nicknames. The primary aggressor suggested calling (DD) “Ni–erson,” the lawsuit claims.
“When (DD) reported the ‘Ni–erson’ incident, his own teacher accused him of lying, in front of his peers,” the complaint states.
Oaks Christian is a private nondenominational Christian college-preparatory school which claims, “99% of its graduates are accepted into universities.”
New students in grades five through 12 can pay as much as $47,930 in annual tuition and fees, depending on the payment plan, according to the school’s official tuition and financial aid website. Returning students also face similar costs.
Oaks Christian did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Dickerson, 66, is one of the most prolific running backs in NFL history. Playing mostly for the Los Angeles Rams and Indianapolis Colts, he set the single-season rushing record in 1984 with 2,105 yards, breaking O.J. Simpson’s mark.
He was the first player to rush for more than 1,000 yards in seven straight seasons. When he retired in 1993, his 13,259 career rushing yards ranked second all-time. Dickerson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
The sixth grader’s famous father and his mother allegedly met with Vice Principal Tamara Kuku and proposed measures including speaking with students about racist language and contacting the parents of those responsible. The school failed to implement those measures, the lawsuit claims.
Dickerson’s son eventually withdrew from Oaks Christian and enrolled elsewhere, according to the complaint. He allegedly continues to suffer emotional and developmental harm from the alleged incidents.
The lawsuit also points to what it describes as a longstanding pattern of racism at the school.
In 2020, more than 8,100 Oaks Christian alumni signed a petition documenting alleged racism and discrimination experienced by black students over multiple years, according to the complaint.
The complaint also references ongoing litigation brought by another black former student who allegedly experienced racial slurs, a mock slave auction and threats of lynching while attending the school between 2021 and 2024.
The pricey private school has also produced NFL stars, including New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet and Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., as well as softball standout Maya Brady, niece of NFL legend Tom Brady.
The school has also attracted high-profile Hollywood families.
Its alumni include Sofia Richie Grainge, daughter of singer Lionel Richie; former “Bachelor” star Peter Weber; model Dree Hemingway, great-granddaughter of author Ernest Hemingway; Trey Smith, son of actor Will Smith; Nick Montana, son of NFL legend Joe Montana; and Trevor Gretzky, son of hockey great Wayne Gretzky.