Tyler Davis

The Colom Law Firm is representing the parents of a deceased 15-year-old athlete in Georgia. Tyler Davis, a rising junior at Rockdale County High School near Atlanta, died a day after collapsing at a July 31, 2006, football practice.

On July 31, Davis participated in a voluntary football practice held on a sweltering summer afternoon. After indoor weight training, the players moved outside, where they were required to participate in "gassers", or 200-yard sprints. Coaches forced players who did not complete the sprints in less than 45 seconds to run additional gassers. While the practice was called "voluntary", players who were present were forced to participate in all of the exercises. Failure to do so would yield additional, more extreme exercises or being cut from the team.

When it is very hot, players must be given time to acclimatize to the heat to protect their health. They must also be in good physical condition and have frequent rest and water breaks. The Rockdale County High School coaches did not give their players time to become acclimated to the heat, nor did they give them adequate access to water. In spite of the heat, practice was not held with appropriate medical supervision, and the coaches were not prepared to deal with a health crisis caused by their practice regimen. Finally, the school did not have a physical on Davis on file.

In spite of the fact that Davis showed signs of heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration, he was forced to continue running gassers and was not given an opportunity to rehydrate. Even when Davis was in obvious pain and distress, coaches did not halt practice. As a result, Davis collapsed. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but by that time his body temperature had risen to 109 degrees. He died the next day.