University of Maryland report of Jordan McNair's death finds school is culpable
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland released a report about the death of football player Jordan McNair on Friday that finds the university is culpable in his death.
McNair was hospitalized on May 29 after a strenuous offseason workout and the 19-year-old offensive lineman later died on June 13. McNair family attorney Billy Murphy Jr. said a preliminary death certificate indicates the cause of death was heatstroke.
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Dr. Rod Walters, a former college athletic trainer and sports medicine consultant who led the investigation launched by the school following McNair's death, said Friday "there was a failure to identify symptoms and aggressively treat it."
The release of the independent investigation comes after Maryland accepted responsibility in August for mistakes that contributed to McNair's death. University President Wallace Loh and Athletic Director Damon Evans held a press conference in August where it was announced that the school had parted ways with strength and conditioning coach Rick Court, who resigned in the wake of McNair. Sources told the Associated Press Court received a one-time payment of $315,000 as part of his settlement with the school.
Head trainer Wes Robinson and Steve Nordwall, an assistant athletic director for training, were placed on administrative leave by Maryland. Head coach D.J. Durkin was also placed on administrative leave and Murphy called for his immediate dismissal.
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Evans admitted the athletic staff misdiagnosed McNair and he did not have his temperature taken or receive ice-water immersion treatment, which is the suggested treatment for an individual overcome by heat.
"We have learned that Jordan did not receive appropriate medical care, and mistakes were made by some of our athletic training personnel," Evans said in August. "Walters found that the emergency response plan was not appropriately followed" and that McNair's symptoms "were not properly identified or treated."
Loh and Evans issued apologies to McNair's family, stating the university accepts "legal and moral responsibility for the mistakes" it made.
"They entrusted their son to us, and he did not return home," Loh said back in August. "The University accepts legal and moral responsibility for the mistakes that were made on that fateful day. ... They misdiagnosed the situation."
Loh was adamant in his belief that the school would take steps to make sure this never happened again.
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"I made a commitment to Jordan's parents," Loh said at the time. "I want to make the same commitment to the parents of all of our student-athletes, and to our entire campus community: We will do everything within our power to ensure that no University of Maryland student-athlete is ever again put in a situation where his or her safety and life are at foreseeable risk."
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The football program has come under fire for what is described as an abusive and toxic culture. Loh also announced on Tuesday that a commission was being formed to investigate the allegations against the football staff.
The Associated Press Contributed to this report.