Parents Want Changes Following Teen's Death At Football Practice

TAMPA, FL — The parents of a 14-year-old high school student who died during football conditioning drills last month is urging the Hillsborough County School District to hire full-time athletic trainers for every high school and make changes in the conditioning regimen.

During a press conference Wednesday, attorney Steve Yerrid said Hezekiah Walters' parents, Phyllis and Feliz Walters, want to make sure that no more families have to deal with the death of a child involved in high school sports.

"They know they can't bring their son back, but they can bring changes," said Yerrid. "We need to be proactive rather than reactionary. We need to prevent these horrible events before they occur."

The incoming freshman at Middleton High School died after collapsing during conditioning drills for the school's football team on June 11.

A Tampa Police investigation determined that the team was 30 to 40 minutes into the conditioning drills - which included weightlifting, wind sprints and water breaks every 10 minutes - when the teen collapsed. He was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital where doctors could not detect a heart beat and his temperature was 102 degrees.

On Monday, Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent Jeff Eakins revealed the results of the internal investigation into Walters' death. He said the school failed to complete athlete clearance forms for Walters including a physical exam. There was also no documentation showing that the teen had watched a mandatory video about heat-related problems.

In response, the head football coach was transferred to another school and will no longer coach. And the assistant principal in charge of athletics was demoted and transferred.

"The death of a student during sports conditioning, practice or games is a rare occurrence, but we are doing everything we can to prevent something like this in the future," Eakins said, reading from a prepared statement. "We have an expectation that our staff will make sure all of the documents are uploaded and checked before any athlete can go on the field. As we have stated repeatedly, the health and safety of our students is our top priority. We are heartbroken by this tragic death."

Yerrid sent the school district notice that the family may file a lawsuit but said he hopes that won't be necessary.

"Litigation is a possibility," he said. "I think it’s remote. I think we’re going to be able to work with the school board."

Rather than taking legal action, Yerrid said his clients would prefer to see changes and have asked the district to hire full-time athletic trainers for every high school. Currently, about half of the high schools in the district have trainers, and they aren't required to participate in summer football conditioning.

"This is a 14-year-old young man who really wasn’t accustomed to sports," said Yerrid. "He was really trying to get into football. What he was asked to do, which he did his best to fulfill, was some very strenuous tasks and drills probably not appropriate for a 14-year-old."

Eakins agrees and has also recommended that the school board require a trainer present during all football activities, including conditioning.

See related story: Middleton High School Teen Dies After Football Drills