Yall hear about Korey Stringer's death?

[hhh8785]

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/Da...eat010801.html

He played for the Vikings and died from a heatstroke. His body temperature was 108. That is darn high. Its pretty sad. He was a pro-bowler, and this year was in the best shape of his career, and was so excited about the season. He wouldn't call it quits yesterday during practice after he vomitted a few times and couldn't keep water down. He had trainers tending to him, but he just wouldn't quit. That man was dedicated to the sport.

There are alot of ideas floating around about things like pushing the NFL season back a month so it won't be so hot and things like that. I don't think anything has been really discussed by the NFL yet, but I heard a bunch of stuff on the radio and news about what could be done. What do yall think about his death, and how these things could be prevented in the future?

[Sweeper]

That's why Deon Sanders never showed for the Redskins camp. He wasn't to hot on Marty Schottenheimer's tough training camp. According to sources Norv Turner ran a very easy training camp. A lot of training camps this year have become much more intense. They should have seen the signs from Stringer and got him off the field ASAP!!!!
Really sad.

Sweeper

[Mr.Goodbytes]

That's the whole thing Sweeper. They did see the signs. Stringer didn't ask for assistance. They guy was trying to be tough, God bless him for his foolishness. It's likely he didn't want to be seen as a wimp on the second day of training camp. Don't get me wrong, he will be a big loss to his team, his family, and pretty much everyone who knew him. But he was the one who chose to keep going at it, to make it through practice. He knew, just as every other lineman or tackle out there knows, that he's got to be tougher than everyone else to be the best. That's what he was trying to do. Korey Stringer refused to recognize his own symptoms, and I'm not condemning him for it, but that ultimately let to his demise.

[hhh8785]

This is a real tough decision on his part. If he had quit and just said he couldn't handle it and needed to step back for a little bit, you know he would have been seen as a wimp, and maybe put on the 2nd string or whatever. But now that he passed away, we're all saying why didn't he quit. And sometimes it just takes a big shakeup like this to make some changes. I had a thought a few minutes ago that, like the Titanic, his mistake may save many lives in the future. Maybe next week, or next season, or ten years down the line, some player will be having a really hard time out there, and he is having the symptoms Korey had, and instead of going on, and eventually dying from it, he will step back and say it ain't worth it, and his life will be saved.

[Ed_S]

I think Sweeper's point is that the coaches and trainers should be responsible enough to pull a player off wether he wants to go or not.
As the manager of a 17-19 yr old baseball team, I can tell you - these guy's WILL play injured or sick, and WILL make themselves worse just to stay in the game. They're hyped up and "want it" bad enough to continue, and they believe themselves indestructible anyway. They'll downplay or outright hide an injury if you let 'em.
Only once have I had a player willingly leave the field - 1st baseman whose wrist had been slit by a cleat... Did first-aid & sent him off with parents. When I went to the hospital after the game, the first thing he wanted to know was the score!! And yes, he did want to play soon after - with the stitches still in! I think not!
Another example - about a week ago, my #1 catcher broke a toe. No biggee, right? Imagine crouching down on your toes for an entire game...He wants back in NOW, and his dad has the "that's my boy!" attitude!
I've a 17 yr old pitcher who once had to be physically removed from the mound. He'd thrown over a hundred pitches when his mother informed me that this was the third game he pitched in two days! (plays elsewhere also, didn't tell me...)
Was doing OK, actually, gamewise. (he's GOOD!) But a little later the arm was so bad he couldn't lift a water cup!

If they exhibit signs of illness or injury, I believe it is MY job to decide when they stop. Not their's. And yes, it would be seen as wimpy "whining" for the player to complain of heat, therefore someone else MUST make the decision.

According to the team representatives, Stringer vomited several times during the Tuesday workout and could not keep water down, but would not drop out of practice.

So...what's their excuse for allowing him to continue?? Surely the trainers know the athlete is NOT capable of a rational, objective decision on the matter!!
IMO, it's criminal.

<edit - added>
You know, maybe this is why I'll never be more than a youth league coach/manager. I still care more about the players than I do about the game!
Don't get me wrong, I DO want to win and expect my players to do their best...but I always keep in mind that it's a GAME!

Ed

[This message has been edited by Ed_S (edited 08-01-2001).]

[kenyg]

I agree 100% - it was the trainers/coaching staff's responsibility. Unfortunalty, this type of thing happens quite often, it just doesn't make the national news - I believe the same thing has happened this year at the college and high school level.

Perhaps this will force some changes in these programs. This fellow was 27 - and left behind a 3yr old.


Ken/

[MTAtech]

When I was a kid, I seem to remember football being a cool weather sport.

[gyoung]

Not for us... I remember practices starting in late August/early September which is still a rather hot time of the year.

[gyoung]

I don't think there is anyone to blame. Don't accidents exist anymore? I guess with lawyers involved it is always someone elses fault (never the person that suffered).

A Florida football player recently died due to heat. An Indiana high school player just died this past week at practice, but it wasn't due to heat, he had a brain aneurysm.

[jad1097]

I agree with Ed, the coaches/trainers should have stopped him. But after years of doing construction work I can tell you only a fool would continue to work after knowing he is suffering from heat exhaustion/dehydration. This guy worked himself to death.

[wyvrn]

Wasn't he carted off the field the day before due to exhaustion? He should have not been allowed back on the field the next day. And the fact he continued to practice after vomiting was foolish on his part. He has noone to blame but himself, and now he leaves a 4yr old and wife alone.

[Apostle 83]

My YP played college football, and he had a heat stroke during training season. He said he honestly had no idea it was coming on... it's insane, like it shuts your logic down before it shuts any organs down.

This is a TRAGEDY, not attempted murder for the love of God! Talk to any trainer, college and pro camps are full of interning trainers that are pretty busy ballooning big guys (running out with a cart and oxygen)! This man just... didn't pass out soon enough. He was too tough. But at least he'll be remembered as a man.

[jad1097]

Not quite Apostle. There are symtoms! I have suffered from heat exhaustion many times and have always been able to see it coming. I have worked in some extremly hot places (150°F+).
http://www.umr.edu/~umrshs/heat.html

HEAT EXHAUSTION
*excessive water loss

Symptoms
-headache
-nausea
-fatigue
-dizziness or
-lightheadness
-actively sweating
-skin cool & pale

Mental Status
-usually conscious
-may faint

Core Temperature
-over 102

Treatment
-shady place or AC room
-keep cool
-increase fluids
-cold wet towels
-fan
-may require IV fluids


HEAT STROKE
*Failure of body's heat controlling mechanisms
***EMERGENCY!!!

Symptoms
-headache
-flushed skin
-dry skin
-warm skin
-rapid, bounding pulse


Mental Status
-incoherent speech
-disoriented
-confused
-aggressive
-possibly unconscious

Core Temperature
-over 105

Treatment
-Immediate action necessary
-Shady place or AC room
-Remove most of clothes
-apply cool, wet towels
-fan to increase air flow
-transport to ER

I think the guy should be remembered for the fool he was.

[jad1097]

fool means-"a person lacking in judgment or prudence". Was he not a fool? I don't see this as an accident; it could have and should have been prevented. What if the situation was reversed and he died of hypothermia? Would you still think it was an accident? People who make a living working outside know the dangers associated with weather conditions. If they don’t then they need to learn or choose another career.

As I said before I know what it is like to work in the heat, I also used to play ball so I know how that is in the heat too.

[gyoung]

If you look at the term "accident" in how you are defining it then there is no such thing as an accident.

If you wreck because of a blown tire, it isn't an accident it is the tire makers fault.

If you happen to trip and fall with a knife in your hand, it is either: 1. the knife company's fault 2. the person who made the floor's fault 3. the person who wasn't watching when they should be supervising's fault.

Stuff happens, not everything is preventable. Things will always happen. It is sad and I feel for his family and friends. And hopefully it will make trainers and coaches AND players more aware.