Another online petition drive is underway concerning Ma'lik Richmond, the YSU football team member who was convicted and served time for the 2012 rape of a 16-year-old girl in Steubenville when he was still in high school.

Although Richmond has been practicing with the team for several months now, his criminal history became an issue when the information became public last week.

Now a petition was posted Sunday on www.ipetition.com titled “Second Chance for Ma'lik”.

The petition says Richmond has served his punishment and “has since earned the right to attend Youngstown State and participate on the football team.”

Petitioners say once they reach their goal, the petitions will be presented to Youngstown State University President Jim Tressel and the YSU athletic department.

As of early Monday afternoon, 145 people had added their name to the petition seeking 1,000 signatures.

The number of signatures was behind another petition started earlier on Change.org calling for the removal of Richmond from the team.

The petition was started by Katelyn Davis, who said she doesn't feel that convicted rapists have earned a place on sports teams.

As of 2 pm Monday, the petition had 6,885 signatures, just 623 shy of the goal of 7,500 names.

According to the website, the petition will be sent to YSU President Jim Tressel and head football coach Bo Pellini.

Change.org petition link

ipetition, org petition link