University President Wallace D. Lohannounced on Tuesdaythat an ongoing external investigation found McNair did not receive proper medical care when he struggled to breathe and stand after a series of 110-yard sprints on May 29. The university accepted the resignation of strength coachRick Courton Monday, and announced head trainer Wes Robinson and Steve Nordwall, an assistant athletic director for training, have both been placed on leave.
“These were mistakes on the part of some of the athletic training staff,” Loh said in a statement regarding McNair’s death, posted to the university’swebsite. “The University accepts legal and moral responsibility for these mistakes.”
Loh said he, and athletic director Damon Evans, both personally apologized to McNair’s parents before speaking with the press.
“On behalf of the University, I apologized to them,” Loh said. “They entrusted their son to us, and he did not return home.”
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In his written statement, Loh said the university’s trainers did not properly conduct an emergency action plan and misdiagnosed the seriousness of McNair’s symptoms. They also failed to assess his vital signs and did not properly treat the football player for “exertional heat illness.” A lawyer for McNair’s family toldESPNthat the college athlete’s preliminary death certificate lists heat stroke as his cause of death.
During Tuesday’s press conference, Evans said the investigation found the athletic staff did not take McNair’s temperature or give him cold immersion treatment, otherwise known as an ice bath, therecommended procedurefor heat stroke.
The family’s lawyer — of the firm Murphy, Falcon & Murphy — toldESPNthat McNair’s body temperature was 106-degrees when he arrived at Washington Adventist Hospital. The McNair family attorney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Since McNair’s death in June, media reports have shed light on the allegedly “toxic” culture in place at the university’s football program while under head coach Durkin and strength coach Court.
AnESPN story on August 10alleged that the tandem coaches created an environment of “fear and intimidation” in their program, and routinely embarrassed and verbally abused players. In one instance detailed in the report, a player was pressured to eat candy bars while watching other players exercise, though coaches wanted him to shed weight. In another account, a player was forced to overeat to the point of vomiting. Players also had small weights thrown at them when Court was enraged, they claimed.
“I take very seriously the allegations reported in the media about the culture of our football program, citing instances of alleged intimidation and humiliation as ways to ‘toughen up’ players,” he said. “I am also mindful of other published reports in which some Maryland football players disagree with this portrayal of the program.”
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Kasim Hill, the team’s quarterback, posted an emotional message on Twitter to his “brother.”
“Lord, words cannot explain anything right now,” Hillwrote. “Thank you for allowing me to know a great friend, teammate and a man who was truly a brother. Watch over us all Jordan and rest in peace, Love you forever.”
source: people.com
