High School Football Players Hospitalized After Coach Reportedly Forced Them To Do 400 Push-Ups As Punishment

Several Texas high school football players were hospitalized after their coach reportedly forced them to do 400 push-ups as punishment, multiple outlets report.

The head football coach at Rockwall-Heath High School, John Harrell, has since been suspended and placed on administrative leave after a group of his players required medical attention during an off-season workout last Friday (Jan. 6), according to Fox News 4.

High School Football Coach Accused Of Punishing Players With “Large Number Of Push-Ups”

Harrell is accused of demanding the students do “a large number of push-ups as a way to discipline players. The head coach has been with the program since 2019.

Meanwhile, school principal Todd Bradford sent a letter to parents confirming that some students “needed medical attention” with “some” even requiring hospitalization.

At least eight players were sent to the hospital, the Dallas Morning News reports.

One parent of a player who was hospitalized said their child was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a severe medical condition that occurs when damaged muscle tissue releases its proteins and electrolytes into the bloodstream. The condition can cause permanent disability and even death.

The parent, who did not wish to be identified, told the outlet that the team had to do hundreds of push-ups within just an hours time.

Students Forced To Do Hundreds Of Push-Ups In An Hour, With No Water Or Breaks, Parent Says

The student-athletes were also denied breaks and water too, the parent added.

 

The coach has actually had some vocal supporters since the news broke of the reported incident this week.

Junior team captain, Brady Luff, told media water was always available to the players, who could’ve left anytime they wanted, Luff went on to say.

“[Coach Harrell’s] treated us with nothing but respect, and he loves every single one of us like his own,” Luff said.

https://twitter.com/HowertonNews/status/1612956929533562881

School District Says It Has Hired Third Party To Investigate Claims, Place Coach On Administrative Leave

The school district, who have since hired an “independent third party” to investigate the claims, released a statement saying the “district is also taking interim action” as that investigation plays out.

“The district is also taking interim action, including but not limited to, placing Coach Harrell on administrative leave while the investigation is pending and notifying appropriate outside agencies.”

The district added it has been in touch with the affected families and athletes.