Maryland

University of Maryland Puts Athletic Staff on Leave During Review of Football Player's Death

The University of Maryland says some employees in its athletics department are on administrative leave following the death of a football player.

Jordan McNair, an offensive lineman preparing for his sophomore season, died on June 13. He was 19.

McNair was sent to a hospital after a team workout on May 29, the university said after his death.

The university has hired a sports medicine consulting firm to review whether the team followed proper protocol in the treatment and care of McNair.

"Pending the final outcome of this review, the university has placed members of the Athletics staff on administrative leave," the school announced in a statement Friday.

"We will be able to speak in greater detail when the review is complete and shared with the public. Our thoughts remain with Jordan McNair’s family, friends and teammates," read the statement.

A spokesperson for the university said on Aug. 3 that football players were encouraged to participate in the external review and to speak confidentially with Walters Inc., the company performing the investigation.

The Jordan McNair Foundation attributes the McNair's death to heatstroke during the offseason practice. The University of Maryland had not disclosed the cause of death, citing family privacy.

McNair's parents, Tonya Wilson and Martin McNair, established the foundation in their son's honor, which is sponsoring a training facility, scholarship fund and heat-related illness education.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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