The Schmooze: Over the years, the cases of football players dying from heat-related circumstances has remained consistent. Every year there is at least 1 case of a player succumbing to the conditions during a grueling practice run by hard-nosed coaches. This is the first time that one of these coaches may actually be held accountable. If nothing else, this should prompt schools, counties, states, etc. to institute strict guidelines for when practices are allowed. I myself grew up playing football in the heat of South Florida. I eventually turned my attention to other sports because I had no desire to practice in full pads in 100 degree weather. It was cruel and unusual punishment. It still is.

High school coach charged in death of football player
By Brett Barrouquere
Associated Press / January 23, 2009

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - A Kentucky high school football coach was charged yesterday with reckless homicide in the death of a player who collapsed at practice as temperatures soared.

A grand jury indicted David Jason Stinson in the death of Pleasure Ridge Park offensive lineman Max Gilpin, Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Dave Stengel said. Stinson was directing practice on Aug. 20 when the heat index reached 94 degrees and the 15-year-old sophomore collapsed.

The youth had a temperature of 107 degrees when he arrived at the hospital, authorities said. He died three days later.

While deaths from heat exposure in athletics happen occasionally, charges are rare. The reckless homicide charge means grand jurors did not find that Stinson’s actions were intentional or malicious, Stengel said, but that “a reasonable man should have realized something like this could have occurred.”

Stinson’s lawyer, Alex Dathorne, said the coach maintains his innocence and looks forward to telling the whole story.
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.

Tweet This Post 

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Tags: football, football player death, South Florida