The Maryland Football team started their season off strong, considering they have been in the midst of an “abusive culture” scandal, following the death of 19-year-old offensive lineman, Jordan McNair. The Terps are now 3-1, after recently defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Saturday, Sept. 22. Their three game wins are exciting, yet surprising due to all of the discussion of the tragedy that took place in the recent summer months.
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McNair collapsed during practice on May 29, after a conditioning test that consisted of 10 110-yard sprints, The Baltimore Sun reported. He was showing signs of extreme heat exhaustion and was having trouble standing upright. McNair’s parents hired attorneys to further investigate the death of their son and found that he was showing signs of a heatstroke before he finished the sprints; therefore, calling into question the judgment of the university’s athletic coaching and training staff.
Proper methods for treating a heat stroke, such as cold water immersion, were not enacted for McNair, athletic director Damon Evans confirmed. ESPN further looked into the football program, interviewing players and former staff and in an article exposed the toxic culture endured by the players. Several current players described a pattern of verbal abuse and intimidation. Rick Court, UMD’s strength and conditioning coach, is named the most in the report along with head coach, D.J. Durkin.
“I would never, ever, ever allow my child to be coached there,” a former Maryland staffer said, according to the ESPN story.
President Wallace Loh and Evans met with McNair’s family to apologize and take “legal and moral responsibility” for what occurred, according to the Baltimore Sun. Durkin and three staff members were placed on administrative leave and Court was fired.
McNair’s family said in an interview on “Good Morning America” that they would like to see Durkin fired as well, but for now, he is still suspended and offensive coordinator Matt Canada has taken over as head coach.
After an updated report was released, the McNair family announced their intent to pursue a $30 million lawsuit against the university, according to Sports Illustrated. In the same article, it states how the odds of a trial actually happening are slim, due to the presumed university’s efforts to settle with the McNair family.
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As for the players, McNair’s teammates will honor him by wearing a sticker with his number, 79, on their helmets throughout the season. On opening day, they held a moment of silence for him. There is also a number 79 emblem painted on the field near the end zone in remembrance of McNair.
Showing support for our Terps is important, and hopefully, we will continue to do well in the season under Canada. Maryland faces Rutgers on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, at noon.