Jon Hamm Doesn’t Really Want To Talk About The 1990 Frat House Hazing Allegations Against Him

A few years ago, Star Magazine published a story of fucked-up hazing abuse that Jon Hamm allegedly participated in during his time at the Sigma Nu fraternity in 1990. Jon never commented about it. Three years later, and Esquire brought it up during an interview. As it turns out, the hazing incident is right up there with his crotch sausage on the list of things Jon Hamm doesn’t want to talk about.

To bring everyone up to speed, let’s first go over what allegedly happened back in 1990. Sorry, Jon – plug your ears maybe? When Jon was a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin, he was charged with assault of a fraternity pledge who accused Jon and his fellow frat bros of violence and abuse. The pledge alleged that he was tortured for two hours, which allegedly included 30 paddle slaps on the ass, Jon setting his shorts on fire, Jon standing on his back while he did push ups, and Jon leading him around with the claw of a hammer under his balls. The pledge hid in his bedroom closet after he was released from the hazing.

Three members of Sigma Nu were given 30 days in jail, and the frat was shut down for a while. An arrest warrant was issued for Jon Hamm in 1992, but the charges were dropped in 1995 after a plea deal was reached.

When Esquire’s Maximillian Porter first approached the subject during the interview, he writes that Jon Hamm’s tone becomes “tinged with anger” and “exasperated,” before stating: “I hope I didn’t sign up for a hit piece.” So Maximillian moved on to talk about his childhood and going to private high school. Eventually they got to the part where Jon Hamm became a student at the University of Texas at Austin. Maximillian attempted to talk about it again, because what else are they going to talk about? Meal plan grilled cheese? According to Jon Hamm, what you read wasn’t exactly the truth, and it’s a real “bummer” for him.

“I wouldn’t say it’s accurate. Everything about that is sensationalized. I was accused of these things I don’t…It’s so hard to get into it. I don’t want to give it any more breath. It was a bummer of a thing that happened. I was essentially acquitted. I wasn’t convicted of anything. I was caught up in a big situation, a stupid kid in a stupid situation, and it’s a fucking bummer. I moved on from it.”

Where was Jon Hamm’s publicist to poke him on the shoulder and remind him that lots of people have been acquitted, and it’s not exactly something to be worn like a Boy Scout badge of honor. Or at least to urge him to maybe pick another adjective to describe how he feels. A bummer? While talking about accusations of violent ass-paddling? Maybe next time he can say the whole thing sucks balls. Ah, yeah – no, that ones not going to work either.

Pic: Marc Hom/Esquire