The University of Maryland reached a $3.5 million settlement with the family of Jordan McNair, who died in June 2018 after suffering from heatstroke during a team workout.
The Maryland Board of Public Works must approve the settlement when it meets Jan. 27, The Washington Post reported.
McNair was a 19-year-old offensive lineman for the Terrapins from Randallstown, Md. An independent investigation showed McNair wasn’t treated appropriately or with urgency by the program’s medical and training staff after he showed signs of heatstroke during the workout on May 29, 2018. He died 15 days later.
McNair’s parents, Martin McNair and Tonya Wilson, filed a claim against the university, as did McNair’s estate.
“Marty and Tonya are relieved that this fight is over and to put this behind them as they continue to mourn Jordan’s death,” Hassan Murphy, the family’s attorney, said in a statement. “They are committed to channeling their grief and loss into the work that remains to protect the lives of student-athletes around the world by educating them about the signs and risks of exertional heat stroke.”
In August 2018, then-president Wallace D. Loh said the university accepted “legal and moral responsibility for the mistakes that our training staff made on the fateful workout day of May 29.”
Following McNair’s death, head coach DJ Durkin was fired, strength and conditioning coach Rick Court reached a settlement to leave the university, and two members of the training staff were dismissed.
An ESPN report from 2018 also detailed allegations made by players and others that Durkin led the program through fear and intimidation.
