Rockwall, Texas – A Texas mother has filed a lawsuit against her son’s former football coach, John Harrell, after a demanding practice session allegedly left her child hospitalized. The incident reportedly took place on January 6, 2023, when Harrell and a group of assistant coaches compelled players to perform nearly 400 push-ups within an hour without any breaks for rest or hydration.
The lawsuit claims that this intense workout was meant to discipline the players for perceived lack of effort on the field and issues with their uniforms. Unfortunately, this grueling workout had serious consequences; at least 26 players ended up with symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition that can break down muscle tissue and release harmful contents into the bloodstream.
The mother asserts that her son spent a week in the hospital due to the workout, and his attorney, Mike Sawicki, stated that without appropriate treatment, the boy could have faced kidney failure, posing “significant potential harm.” “This is not just a minor issue,” Sawicki mentioned, emphasizing the potential long-term effects of the injury.
After the incident, Coach Harrell was put on administrative leave and subsequently resigned two months later. The lawsuit notes findings from a confidential report that indicated that coaches had discussed student injuries via messages and suggested that nutritional supplements might have contributed to these injuries.
Furthermore, the report revealed instances of bullying against injured players in an effort to silence them. Though Harrell had settled previous lawsuits with parents of other affected players, this latest suit is the first to name several assistant coaches who were reportedly involved in the workout.
Sawicki claims that the additional defendants were included in this case after it became clear they played an active role during the grueling session. He believes that while they didn’t intend to cause harm, they failed to fully understand the risks associated with the intense physical demand they were placing on the players.
The athletic director had previously cautioned coaches against using physical exercise as a form of punishment, warning that it could result in “major legal issues and consequences.” However, the coaching staff seems to have disregarded this advice.
The ongoing case raises questions about coaching practices and player safety in sports, emphasizing the importance of proper training and awareness of physical limits to prevent similar incidents in the future.
