Bielema Apologizes, Sandy Barbour Explodes

((HT: ESPN/Arkansas Razorbacks))

Here's where it all started with Bret Bielema...


And it finally got to the point where Coach Bielema apologized (finally) for dragging the name of deceased Cal football player Ted Agu into the discussion that said, in part:

"In my press conference last night, I referenced information about the tragic loss of a life of a student-athlete. My comments were intended to bring awareness to player safety and instead they have caused unintended hurt. As a head coach who works with young individuals every day, the passing of Ted Agu is a reminder to us all how short and precious life is. I would like to extend my deepest condolences and sympathy to the Agu family, Coach Sonny Dykes and to the University of California family."

Cal AD Sandy Barbour responded in kind via her Twitter:

"Bret Bielema’s comments about our Ted Agu are misinformed, ill-advised and beyond insensitive.”

“Using the tragic loss of one of our student athletes as a platform to further a personal agenda in a public setting is beyond inappropriate.”

Bielema even went further in a ridiculous interview before the apology discussing why he brought Agu into the discussion...

From Sports Illustrated:

"The reason I brought up the Cal player is this: We all have sickle cell players. To me, it's the most scary individual thing we face. There are no signs. There are no indicators. You test every one of your players when they come in. And there are players who come in that have no idea they have it. Then you've got to call the parents, sit the kid down and talk to them what it means -- what the possibilities of things happening are. It's a scary deal..."

Bielema's interview in SI is mandatory reading for its silliness and stupidity over the idea of clock stoppages and instant diagnoses of athletes physical problems...

Oh...

Arkansas has their season opener at Auburn...
How do you think that will go...???

Kinda like this...???
((HT: Auburn Athletics))


And the prevailing opinion on the Plains will go a little something like this...

Cal's Ted Agu Dies During Conditioning

((HT: NBC Bay Area))

Cal DL Ted Agu collapsed during what the team doctor described as a "routine conditioning workout" early on Friday. He was transferred by golf cart and then to hospital. Agu collapsed there, was given CPR, and could not be revived...

The medical examiner should take a few weeks before they have any answers, but there may be a big question that will come up...

CBSSports.com, citing an unnamed source, had reported that Agu had sickle-cell trait.

(At present, the HQ can't find the link to that story, but Jeff Faraudo from the San Jose Mercury News has a source telling CBSSports.com that Cal knew)

A Cal spokesman would not confirm Agu's sickle-cell trait condition...

Here's coverage from Berkeley


Here's the release from Cal Athletics:

"At this time, we are deeply saddened to inform you that Ted Agu, one of our student-athletes and a member of our football team, passed away tragically this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ted’s family and friends, our players and coaches, and our University family. Our student-athletes are our priority and we are providing counseling services for our players. Please bear with us as we work to inform personally those closest to Ted; we will provide more information as it becomes available.

“This is a very difficult time for our football family,” said Sonny Dykes, Head Football Coach. “Ted was a remarkable young man and a member of this family who was highly respected and loved by his teammates and coaching staff. He had an incredible passion for life and will be deeply missed.”

Athletics Director, Sandy Barbour, said, “Our heartfelt condolences go out to Ted’s family. This is a very painful time for the entire Cal family; in the days and weeks ahead, my focus will be on providing every member of our community the support and information they need to get through this time. I would ask that media please respect and understand how this tragedy is impacting Ted’s family, his teammates, friends and the members of our campus community. We will get through this together.”

UCF Files Appeal In Plancher Case

Surprising no one, the Central Florida Athletic Association has filed an appeal in the ruling of the wrongful death of football player Ereck Plancher.

The university feels that one of three aspects of the ruling can be used in either overturning the ruling, ordering a new trial, or minimizing the financial settlement ordered by the court.

UCF is saying a waiver Plancher signed should have blown out any school liability, the judge in the case mismanaged the trial, and since the university views itself as a state agency the $10-million judgment is more than the $200,000 limit for liability.

From Iliana Limon's piece in the Orlando Sentinel...

The Plancher family attorneys are scheduled to file their response to the appeal later this month. UCFAA has requested the right to present its case in person via oral arguments. The two sides would likely appear at the Fifth District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach late in the summer or early in the fall.

The Plancher family filed their wrongful death suit in 2009 claiming that sickle cell trait and the coaching staff's neglect in treatment at the time of Ereck Plancher's collapse on the practice field.

UCF's insurance company claim it was an undiagnosed heart condition.

And so we move on...

The HQ isn't surprised that UCF is bogging this down in the courts. IUt's their only recourse to save their own ass in a case that was mismanaged from the beginning...

Here's head coach George O'Leary's testimony from the trial as part of our flashback...
((HT: MyFoxOrlando))

UCF coach testifies in wrongful death suit: MyFoxORLANDO.com

Plancher Jury Starts Deliberations

((ht: orlandosentinel))

The trial of a now deceased UCF Football player's family versus the University of Central Florida Athletic Association is beginning to wind down.

The trial, which in a somewhat interesting twist, was promised to be over in 3-weeks, is about to hit that magical 3-week mark. And the judge in the case is holding the attorneys for both sides to that timetable.

Wednesday's testimony included a "Medical Expert" and a Boston area "Hematologist". Both testified they did not believe Ereck Plancher's diagnosis of "Sickle Cell Trait" contributed to his death at a UCF Football practice in 2008.

That testimony contradicted the testimony of the Orange County Medical Examiner who said he believes the trait is exactly what caused Plancher's death. Testimony has also included debate as to whether or not there was water made available to players at practice as well.

The Plancher family is seeking damages from the UCFAA and this case should be over soon. Final testimony is scheduled for Thursday and the case could be sent to the jury by the end of the day.

Your re-cap, includes George O'Leary testifying, and is courtesy of our friends at the Orlando Sentinel the one Orlando media outlet that isn't all "Casey Anthony" all the time.

 

PM UPDATE: As of 1730HRS Thursday afternoon, the jury has started deliberations in the case. Steve Yerrid, the Plancher family attorney, told jurors during his closing argument the UCF Athletics Association failed to follow its own policies and do everything possible to save Plancher's life.

UCFAA attorney Kevin Taylor countered there is "no evidence based proof" sickle cell trait caused death.

More when we know more...