Fatal Football

[Swan]

*The only people who heard the denial of water, were of course the team players…and there were students practicing another sport on an adjacent field…and they heard it. The parents were too far off in the distance to hear that. I remember when our son would play, and my dh would go up to the field…there is only so far you can enter …Max’s father was actually there, but he wasn’t there for the whole practice, he didn’t know how long the coaches were running these boys. It’s a shame…and this man should never ever coach again. Jail? Not sure…a jury can decide. But, he doesn’t belong coaching. PLUS…yes, Max was on ADD meds…that should be in his medical file at school, his mother said they filled out a form for football. This coach should research …every kid isn’t the same…he basically wanted the best of the best, and he basically ran the kids until someone quit the team for good, was the words onlookers heard. So…why fill out forms, if they go ignored. That is where this coach could be in serious trouble…parents fill out medical forms, it’s then the coachs’ responsibility to understand what he is dealing with, and not push everyone the same.

I just want this case to set a standard for all coaches, nationwide…or let it be a warning. You can’t abuse your students. *

I heard this story too and I don’t understand why more people aren’t outraged. One of the jobs of the school personnel is to keep kids safe. Common sense goes a long way - and, yes, the coach should have made himself aware of any special conditions or risks of his players. Still, everyone needs water. This is just crazy. But I know a lot of smaller towns place huge importance on high school football - the emphasis on winning (no wimpy players) sometimes overriding common sense, and decency.

I heard another story just the other day about how little protection the helmets used in high school football provide - how common concussions really are. Scary.

 

[whatevergirl]

I heard this story too and I don’t understand why more people aren’t outraged. One of the jobs of the school personnel is to keep kids safe. Common sense goes a long way - and, yes, the coach should have made himself aware of any special conditions or risks of his players. Still, everyone needs water. This is just crazy. But I know a lot of smaller towns place huge importance on high school football - the emphasis on winning (no wimpy players) sometimes overriding common sense, and decency.

I heard another story just the other day about how little protection the helmets used in high school football provide - how common concussions really are. Scary.

*Hi Swan;

Oh my gosh, yes, on concussions. My son had to go to the ER, the helmets are kind of cheaply made, with not as much padding as they should have…so your head is jostling around…thank you Lord, my son is done with this sport! As a mom, it took sooo much for me to sit there and watch the practices, and games. My husband played the sport and he was amazed at how hard they work the kids in the Florida heat. But, they had water breaks…yes, common sense…hello. If I go for a 20 minute walk in this heat, I carry a water bottle! Ignorance is not a defense. I don’t think this coach should face jail, as I don’t know for sure without a doubt, that this was the sole cause…BUT…would he have died if he were given water? Would he have died if the coach had enough sense to not run them so hard in the heat? Those are questions perhaps a jury will have to figure out. I think he should just be banned completely from coaching ever again. It’s an honor to coach these boys…not a right. Thanks for chiming in!

PS–When you have a moment, check out the 911 call on youtube. These coaches sounded so…nonchalant…no sense of urgency. To me that was just as bad as not giving water to the kids…how long it took them to call paramedics!*