As a fan of college football, I admire players that go the extra mile, hustle for every yard and play until the whistle blows. It is what we are all taught, fight hard play harder and you'll earn whatever you want.
But.
The safety and well being of all players and people at the event always goes first especially during fall camp or practice where there is no rush or reason to get them back on the field if they are not 100 percent. When an injury occurs all eyes go to the training staff. They should do their best to prevent, diagnose and treat injuries and any form of illness found in their student-athletes. I know because part of my curriculum when I received my Bachelors in Sport Management was learning about facility procedures, safety guidelines, getting certified in first aid/CPR and a myriad of other things. Most of which deal with what to do in a situation like this. And my training worked because a little girl at the complex I interned at collapsed in front of me from being as we call it in Florida "bear caught". Very woozy could hardly stand draped all over her mom. Who grew aggravated and then I saw her little eyes roll up into her head. And knew she wasn't playing. I noticed that immediately and was able to grab a medical personal with a radio who luckily was walking by me. We had thousands of people everywhere but it was fortuitous they may not have made it there in time. She was quickly cooled down with ice and made a speedier recovery.
These schmucks should have noticed too. But no, they got their student-athlete killed.
I am emphasizing the term student-athlete for this article because it was not a player in the NFL, it was not a professional. It was a 19-year-old college kid who only saw action in one game last year. And was going to class Monday through Friday.
And because of the negligence of the training staff, he died due to complications of heatstroke. A person younger than me chasing his dream of playing football. An in-state product playing at the big university near his home, where his family can come see most of his games.
This rests solely at the feet of the staff.
They did not recognize it was heatstroke that affected the player. Only during the hottest month of the year.
HE ONLY COLLAPSED IN THE MIDDLE OF PRACTICE.
They did not administer any form of cooling that could have reversed his condition. When every other method seemed to not affect him.
While I appreciate the fact that the Athletic Director for the University of Maryland made a video statement that apologized to the family.
To be honest dear reader.
I am beyond disgusted.
This has deeply impacted me on an emotional level. When I was researching more about what happened it hit me. This was someone using the vehicle of sports to pursue a career in football or later decide to rest on the degree he paid off with playing. A kid going to a big university trying to get onto the team. A 4-star prospect. A caliber of player that if he played well in the right system he could go pro.
But due to the horrific response from the University's training staff. He did not even finish his pre-requisites. He will never have a senior day or even get to fight to be a starter; a dream of all players who fear to ride the bench. The strength coach has resigned. That is way more telling sadly then some staff members misreading a diagnosis. Something is wrong with the Terps. Strength coaches design the plans and workout regiments of their players.
I can say that the head coach that was suspended is an interesting case that adds a little curiosity to me about this incident. DJ Durkin is an amazing recruiter and was a member of the coaching staff for my alma mater for many years. Coaching under Meyer at Bowling Green as a G.A and becoming a special teams coordinator and later a defensive coordinator at the University of Florida. I do not recall anything bad being said about him or his conduct. After this death, reports have come out and said he had a toxic atmosphere and had a bullying coaching style. Not from faceless sources but from players in the NFL that played for him like Jabrill Peppers. If that were the case it could be possible Jordan may have been pushed too far by his coach.
But I will not assume anything, how can I? He could have been miserable to his players but his staff should have noticed heatstroke symptoms in the middle of a blazing summer.
One should equally expect Maryland staff to notice symptoms of frostbite during a snowstorm.
The external investigation will shine more light on the program and the men who run it. We shall see, my focus is on the staff robbing a kid of a life after football no, his actual life. This is why people won't let their kids join sports and I completely respect and understand. A preventable illness/condition during PRACTICE where you are watching your entire team down to the individual player level for their stamina, quickness, and strength should be caught!
I hope we find out more.
Lastly, do not think of Jordan Mcnair as a name in the paper.
Below is a video I found of his high school highlights. A video that is sent to scouts and schools alike that got him into Maryland and played for coach Durkin as a 4-star recruit.
Remember him Scorum.
I will. He could have been me if I chased that dream, a friend or even my sibling. This was not a blindside hit, it was heatstroke it can happen to anyone at any time but is only fatal when it is handled as we have seen.
A football player that was hungry for a roster spot and his love of football got him killed.
Rest in peace big guy.
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