When parents send their kid away to play a college sport, they expect the coaching staff to keep their child safe and healthy while helping them learn and develop on and off the field. This is what the McNair family hoped for as their son, Jordan McNair, embarked on his second year as an offensive lineman for the University of Maryland Terrapins Football team. That expectation was not met, however, at the grave expense of McNair's life and many other players' confidence.

On May 29, 2018, Jordan and his teammates participated in an offseason conditioning practice run by conditioning coach Rick Court and overseen by head coach D. J. Durkin. Unfortunately, Jordan was unable to complete it. During practice, Jordan began having trouble completing drills, so he reported to the athletic trainers that he was experiencing back pain, cramps, and dizziness – all signs of heat exhaustion. But instead of taking McNair to be treated for heat exhaustion, the head athletic trainer ordered the training staff to “drag [him] across the field” and to the next drill. Coaches and trainers like this are the reason that 2aDays was created, to help high school athletes make an educated decision before they commit to a coach they don't really know.

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In the official investigation report, it was determined that 34 minutes passed before Jordan was taken to the training facility for treatment. Once there, instead of using the proper procedures to cool his body temperature down in an ice bath, the staff only provided oral hydration and cold towels. This method wasn't enough, unfortunately. Not long after, Jordan's mood changed drastically, and he began seizing. Instead of calling 911, the athletic training staff called the team physician. The team physician then instructed them to call 911, but over an hour had already passed. Once Jordan was taken to the hospital, his body temperature was reported to be over 104 degrees, the temperature threshold for heatstroke. 

Jordan had to undergo a liver transplant then was hospitalized for another 2 weeks. Sadly, Jordan's body could not recover and, on June 13, 2018, he died from the heatstroke.

The circumstances behind McNair's death sparked an investigation into the athletic trainers' decisions. A sports medicine consulting firm, Walters Inc. was hired by the university to direct the investigation. The hour gap between the onset of symptoms and the call to 911 raised questions about the training of the athletic staff and if there should be a lack of concern for the other football players' well-being. The training and coaching staff failed to recognize and attend to Jordan's heat-related issues promptly, and once they did, their methods were insufficient. 

During the investigation, the team culture was also called into question. Multiple former and current players came forward to describe a toxic culture in the Maryland Football program. Many players on the team shared the same sentiments about the coaching staff's tactics but feared they would be punished if they spoke up about what was happening. Their comments were reported to ESPN with anonymity. The stories they shared about the program would stop any high school football player from wanting to play for UMD.

The former and current players described the environment created by the coaches as fear and intimidation tactics, humiliating and verbally abusing players with profane language, and endorsing unhealthy eating habits. Players also reported having objects like lightweights thrown at them, being forced to overeat, and having their masculinity mocked for not being able to not complete drills or falling ill during them. One player even said that McNair's death reflected the culture of the program: “Jordan knew if he stopped, they would challenge his manhood”.

Although tough coaching and high tempers are to be expected from college coaches occasionally, the consistent abuse that players reported under Coach Durkin was excessive and unnecessary. This behavior can be described as abusive and counteractive in building a strong, committed, and connected team.

Related: Coach Ratings

One former Maryland football player, Malik Jones, openly shared his experience with coach Durkin's aggressive coaching style. The two had an altercation after a team meeting where Durkin took offense to Jones smiling at some time during the meeting. During the altercation, Jones said that Durkin “got in [my] face, was pointing his finger in my face and calling [me] explicit names”. He also accused Jones of speaking poorly of the football program and encouraged him to leave. After two years at the university, Jones transferred to the University of Toledo.

In the 2 and a half years that Durkin was the head coach at UMD, 20 players left the team. 

After ESPN released the testimonies of a toxic culture and overly aggressive coaching, on August 11th, 2018, Durkin and Court were placed on administrative leave by the university.

Related: Recruiting Hid a Toxic, Unhealthy Culture

On October 30th, the USM board of regents announced that coach Durkin would be reinstated as head coach. This sparked an outcry of criticism from the McNair family, many players on the Terrapins Football team, and students of the university. The investigation of McNair's death found that the staff did not recognize and properly treat him for heatstroke, and many other players had come forward and revealed the abusive nature of the coaching staff. Yet no one was being punished or held accountable. Many players walked out during a team meeting discussing Durkin's return and many didn't attend his first practice back the next day.  

McNair's closest friend and teammate, Ellis McKennie, tweeted: “a group of people do not have the courage to hold anyone accountable for his death.”

Jordan's father, Marty McNair, spoke during a Baltimore news conference that hearing the news of Durkin keeping his job made him “feel like I've been punched in the stomach, and somebody spit in my face.”

Following intense backlash and criticism, the university decided to fire coach Durkin, providing justice and a sense of relief for the University of Maryland community and Jordan McNair's family. This happened the day after they announced he would be reinstated. After the decision to fire Durkin was announced, McNair's father took to Twitter, saying,

 “Jordan was everybody's son. This could have happened to anybody's child. I think that was the relatable experience for everyone. We don't send our children away to be bullied, to be called names, to feel inferior. We send our young people away to be developed as young people and have fun while they're doing it.”

Since his death, Jordan has been honored in many ways. His high school football team, the McDonogh Eagles, retired his jersey number. The University of Maryland has created a football scholarship in his honor and the offensive line position room in Cole Field House has been named after him.

McNair's parents have also done so much to make sure his memory and legacy is one of positivity. They started a foundation called The Jordan McNair Foundation which aims to educate players, coaches, parents, and anyone in the football community on the signs and symptoms of heatstroke and heat-related illnesses. The foundation also has created a scholarship in his name for students at his high school alma mater, the McDonogh School. 

They also partner with medical professionals to educate young athletes through their “My Body, My Safety: Player Safety 101” program. The foundation also supports a training facility called Breaking Chains Training Center to provide a safe and positive environment for young athletes to come and not only grow their athletic skills, but also cultivate their educational and artistic talents. If you would like more information on the foundation or want to be a part of the organization, visit their website to learn more.

* Originally published on September 9, 2021, by Alexis Jones