Eight high school students in Texas have been hospitalized after their football coach forced them to do 400 push-ups in an hour without any breaks.
Rockwall-Heath High School Head Football Coach, John Harrell, has been put on administrative leave after he reportedly forced students to do 300 to 400 push-ups during an eighth-period athletic class on Friday.
A mother, who did not want to be identified, claimed the football players were forced to do the intense workout without water breaks, according to Fox 4 News.
She said her son was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis – the breakdown of muscle tissue that can release damaging proteins into the bloodstream, which can cause kidney damage or failure.
The High School Principal addressed the situation on Monday.
“On Monday, January 9, 2023, several parents reported that their student(s) subsequently needed medical attention, and in some cases, hospitalization. Please know the District immediately implemented measures to address the situation and provide support for our students.”
The letter also advised parents to inform their students to see the trainer if they experience not being able to ‘bend or extend your arms, unable to lift arms above your head, dark urine (tea or cola-colored), and sharp arm pain,’ as well as, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, confusion, or lethargy.
The Dallas-based school has launched a third-party investigation into the incident and said students who attended the class on Monday did a light, nonstrenuous workout.
Photo courtsey of Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
