College heartbroken after organized team workout turns deadly for offensive lineman
There’s awful news out of College Park, Maryland, where an organized football workout turned tragic.
University of Maryland offensive lineman Jordan McNair died three weeks after collapsing in practice on May 29.
According to CBS Sports, Damon Evans, the school’s senior associate athletic director, said the team’s training staff observed McNair struggling to recover from a workout that featured 10 110-yard sprints.
Evans said the staff moved McNair into the training room for more care and then called 911.
McNair was airlifted to a hospital in Baltimore and received a liver transplant, according to a GoFundMe page set up on behalf of McNair’s family.
The school declined to give specifics of the player’s condition or treatment, citing privacy laws.
Terps head coach D.J. Durkin was understandably emotional in a press conference Thursday.
"My heart is broken, for the reason that we're all sitting here having this press conference."
– DJ Durkin on Jordan McNair's death pic.twitter.com/Ctskwqf6OE
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) June 14, 2018
“It’s not reasonable that a 19-year-old should pass away,” the coach said. “It’s not reasonable that a family … his parents Marty and Tonya should have to go through this.”
Durkin later released a statement describing McNair.
“Jordan was an incredible young man, and his passion and enthusiasm made him an invaluable and beloved member of our team,” he said. “Jordan was a hard worker and he always had a smile on his face. He was an extremely talented football player and a humble and genuine human being. He embodied the essence of what it means to be a teammate. Jordan was a fighter. Over the past few weeks, Jordan never gave up with his family, friends and team by his side.
“Our team will continue to be inspired by the spirit of this brave fighter. Please continue to pray for Jordan’s family during this difficult time.”
Offseason workouts have been closely monitored in recent years, but as CBS Sportswriter Dennis Dodd points out, players seem to keep on dying.
If Jordan McNair's death is tied to Maryland workout, his would be the 30th conditioning-related college football death since 2000. Last P5 player to die as a result of workout believed to be Cal's Ted Agu in 2014.
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) June 13, 2018
The university says it is conducting a full investigation.
Bigger than football. Rest In Peace Jordan McNair. pic.twitter.com/7P7utBSDy5
— Maryland Recruiting (@TheMovementUMD) June 13, 2018
McNair, who was a four-star recruit out of Randallstown, Maryland, played in one game for the Terps.
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