High School Football Coach Charged in Player's Death

[Quineloe]

Originally Posted by Cad

It's a team sport, maintaining discipline/order - generally you're not allowed to just walk away whenever you like to grab a beverage. Football has this whole "tough guy" mentality that I don't really understand but they are like that.

I heard somewhere that the entire participation was voluntary and he could have walked away at any time but chose not to - thats going to weigh heavily in what they can charge this guy with.

yes and they're always informed that they might die because that's just part of being tough!
Listen to yourself, a fifteen year old boy died and you're talking about "tough guys" here.
The coach is _responsible_ for their well being regardless of the activity being voluntary. That means the coach has to act even against their wishes if their health is at risk. Here the situation was actually TURNED around with the boy being concerned and the coach not only not doing his job but massivly abusing his power.

And that is why "you're fired" simply isn't enough.

What transpires during this day HAS killed people the same way this coach kills. Because it involved police, it was just judged as an "oops" and case closed.

first, police trainees are probably not minors anymore, right?
then an example would be pretty nice. There's a difference between accidents and stuff like this.

[Cad]

Quin - agree 100%; the coach is responsible and "should" be found guilty of criminally negligent homicide or reckless endangerment under the facts we have. I'm just saying thats the culture around football, stupid as it is.

[regret]

No one wants to look like a pussy in high school. I practiced in 100+ degree heat regularly in high school and no one wanted to be the puss who went for a drink early.

That said, refusing water -- especially in 110 degree heat -- is fucking criminal.

[kedwyn]

I'd have to agree that refusing water in practice conditions like that is criminal. Hard ass or not, building character or not that kid died and staying properly hydrated would have prevented it.

Absolutely no reason for that what so ever. Isolated incident or not it should not be allowed.

[Celebrindal]

In what way does denying water build character though. There won't be a time in anyone's football career, that they would not be able to drink water. Our body needs water to survive, this kid wasn't trying out for Survivor: Mutant League Football edition.

Charge him to the fullest and make an example out of him.

[eVasiege]

Its more about endurance and mentality when you are tired than anything else. Basically if you can hold your shit together when you are exhausted and about to pass out, essentially your mental and physical capacity increases in the long run. This is what most coaches believe anyways. Over the course of my time playing sports I've seen guys go to the hospital on several occasions from being pushed too hard. If they were actually more strict about this issue in state governments or whatever, I guarantee you would find coaches like this all over the place.

Though if the kid was in obvious need of water and the coach still refused, then that's ridiculous. It needed to be obvious that he needed water otherwise the coaches aren't at fault. Its difficult to judge whether or not a kid really needs a break or is just being weak. In as much as I hate football coaches, I can sympathize in this case.

[Arbitrary]

Like I said, even when we were being punished hard for being dumbasses, we always got plenty of water in basic training and if someone suffered a heat injury the instructor in charge had to explain himself to his superiors. It's only an issue of macho toughness if everyone agrees it is. That attitude was cultivated.

[Quineloe]

Originally Posted by eVasiege

Its more about endurance and mentality when you are tired than anything else. Basically if you can hold your shit together when you are exhausted and about to pass out, essentially your mental and physical capacity increases in the long run. This is what most coaches believe anyways..

I'm sure these stereotype coaches also believe the Hitler Youth was pretty awesome.

[dioblaire]

Honestly, this guy deserves what he gets. The only downside is that it opens up the doors for some parents to take advantage of the situation and sue when it isn't necessary. I see a lot of coaches getting into trouble when they are not at fault. : /

[Pub]

Originally Posted by Tortfeasor

Didn't the same thing happen to an NFL player a few years ago? Think it was during a Vikings training camp.

This happened in my hometown Mankato, MN. The humidity in the summer here is retarded.

[Tred]

Originally Posted by Cad

Playing football is not mandatory thus the whole program is voluntary.

Come to (Houston) Texas and say that to the dumb fuck shitheads that think High School football is LIFE and everything else is for faggots. It's god damn pathetic.

[Axire]

Originally Posted by Tred

Come to (Houston) Texas and say that to the dumb fuck shitheads that think High School football is LIFE and everything else is for faggots. It's god damn pathetic.

GO DILLON PANTHERS (LOL!)

[Astrocreep]

Originally Posted by Pub

This happened in my hometown Mankato, MN. The humidity in the summer here is retarded.

haha you live near little house on the prairie!

[Tyen]

Originally Posted by Quineloe

What possibly could be the reason behind denying him water?

Same reason some teachers deny kids to use the bathroom during class. They get aggravated thinking that the kid is just trying to pussy out or get out of hard work when in reality they are only looking from their own perspective.

[Azrayne]

I don't think there's any valid reason to deny water to someone undergoing strenuous physical exercise in those conditions. He should definately be found guilty of something, some form of endangerment or criminal neglect at the least. As coach part of his job is to take care of those kids and make sure they're healthy and safe.