An independent investigation into the death of University of Maryland football player Jordan McNair has faulted school staff.
The probe determined that trainers who treated McNair, a sophomore offensive lineman, did not follow proper protocol after he collapsed during a team workout earlier this year, The Associated Press reported Friday.
“There was a failure to identify symptoms and aggressively treat it,” said Dr. Rod Walters, an ex-college athletic trainer who led the investigation into McNair’s death, according to the AP.
{mosads}The finding comes more than three months after McNair was hospitalized in late May following a team workout. He died on June 13 from heatstroke, according to his family’s attorney.
University of Maryland’s president said last month that the school accepted “legal and moral responsibility” for McNair’s death.
“Based upon what we know at this time, even though the final report is not completed, I said to the family [of McNair], ‘The university owes you an apology,’ ” Wallace Loh said. ” ‘You entrusted Jordan to our care and he is never returning home again.’ ”
His statement came as the university fell under increasing scrutiny regarding an allegedly abusive culture inside its football program.
The university also suspended four members of its athletic staff pending a review of the football team’s culture last month.
The head coach, DJ Durkin, is currently on administrative leave as an unrelated external investigation takes place, the AP noted.