A furious mother is suing a former high school football coach after a savage exercise session landed her child in hospital.
Videos by Wide Open Country
The grueling workout in question occurred back in January 2023 at Rockwall-Heath High School in Texas. According to a report by Fox 4, the lawsuit claims that 26 students were injured after being forced to do hundreds of pushups. The lawsuit puts the blame on the former high school football coach, John Harrell. The case also mentions 12 assistant coaches.
School authorities placed Harrell on administrative leave after the incident, but he resigned from his position two months later. Authorities took no further action following the resignation.
According to the lawsuit, the workout sessions were so brutal that injuries sustained during exercise sent her son to hospital. The mother alleges that these intense bouts of pushups were dished out as a form of punishment. Coaches demanded as many as "400 pushups an hour," potentially causing long-term damage. These workouts took such a heavy toll on her son that he spent 7 days in hospital after one of the sessions.
Students who partook in these punishments allegedly showed symptoms of Rhabdomyliosis, which is a "breakdown of muscle tissue." The family's attorney, Mike Sawicki, explains that Rhabdomyliosis can cause long-term health issues if left untreated. Those issues include kidney failure and "more substantial damage to the muscles. It's not something you're just going to tough out," he added.
The Families Attorney Has Settled Two Other Cases Against The Coach
According to Sawicki, he has already settled two other cases against Harrell from other parents. This new lawsuit is different as it's the first to mention the assistant coaches who allegedly played "an active role."
According to Fox4, the lawsuit mentions that the Rockwall-Heath Athletic Director advises against physical exercises as punishments. It can "lead to major legal issues and consequences."
When questioned about whether Harrell and the assistant coaches knew the gravity of what they were asking students to perform, Sawicki replied:
"I don't think they did, and I think it's a function of not asking the right questions or ignoring data." Sawicki then explains that the intent behind the workouts was to "impart discipline" to the students. The lawsuit also implies that more than 26 students are likely affected, but some are too afraid to come forward.
