OWINGS MILLS, MD — On the anniversary of the death of Jordan McNair, his alma mater honored his legacy with an event. The McDonogh School hosted a two-hour sports clinic to educate children about the signs of heatstroke.
McNair died on June 13, 2018, after an off-season football practice at the University of Maryland. His family said afterward that he died of heatstroke. He was 19.
Signs of heatstroke are high body temperature, of 103 degrees or higher; a fast pulse; dizziness; passing out; hot, red, damp or dry skin; nausea; and confusion, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In the event of heatstroke, the CDC recommends calling 911 immediately, moving the person to a cooler place and applying cool cloths or immersing the person in a cool bath.
An independent investigation into the death of McNair at the University of Maryland found that athletic trainers failed to follow proper procedures and did not properly diagnose his condition. They did not take his vital signs, including his temperature, and they did not call 911 until an hour and seven minutes after he had begun experiencing symptoms of extreme heat illness, according to the report resulting from the probe, which was published by The Washington Post.
During practice, McNair began receiving assistance at 4:59 p.m. from trainers on the field after he could not complete his eighth set of 110-yard runs. He had a change in his mental state at 5:50 p.m., then experienced a seizure and obstructed breathing before 6 p.m. Trainers said they did not immerse him in a cold whirlpool because they were concerned about their small statures, as he weighed more than 300 pounds. According to the report, the 911 call was made at 5:56 p.m.
Time is of the essence when it comes to heatstroke, which can lead to brain, kidney, muscle and heart damage if untreated, health experts say. “The damage worsens the longer treatment is delayed, increasing your risk of serious complications or death,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
The Randallstown resident was hospitalized after practice on May 29, 2018. He was later airlifted to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. In early June 2018, McNair received a liver transplant, according to a GoFundMe campaign set up to assist his family with medical costs.
After his death, McNair’s parents established the Jordan McNair Foundation to raise awareness through advocacy and events about heat-related illnesses among youth, high school and college athletes, including the June 13 health and wellness clinic at McDonogh.
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The foundation also donated 20 inflatable tubs to schools and athletic programs that can be filled with ice water to cool athletes, Fox 45 reported.
McNair, an alumnus of the McDonogh School and Deer Park Middle Magnet, went to the university in College Park so he could be close to his family, according to The Diamondback, the University of Maryland student newspaper. His death has since sparked staffing and other changes at the university.
McNair’s number, 79, has been retired by the team until 2021, according to ESPN, which reported the measure would be in place until after he would have graduated.
On the anniversary of his death on Thursday, WBAL reported a plaque was installed and a tree was planted on the University of Maryland campus.
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