It's with this background that I address an issue and discuss a terrible incident which happened this past week. The point, however, is that this could just have easily happened on the campus of Miami, FSU, OU, and ,yes, Boise St., just to name a few....
Before getting into the meat of my writing, I want everyone to go back and imagine the day we played TOTW Golf Classic. Remember how windy it was that day? I think most of us will say that was probably the most wind we've ever played golf in. And, even though it was windy, I don't believe the wind got above 40mph. Wind gust were about the same.
Now imagine 50 mph winds with gusts even higher.....imagine being 50 feet in the air.....imagine standing on a platform maybe 8x10 at the most.
This past week at a Notre Dame football practice a young audio visual student died a senseless death. Coaches, for some dumb reason, have gotten into the habit of video tapeing practices. Why? I guess so they can make sure their dressed in their best shorts, and sweats. A lot of times the person videoing is standing on a "scissor" platform 50 feet or so up in the air. You know, so the coach can get a full view. A great angle.
For those who may not know what a "scissor" platform is, here's a couple pics for reference:
So this college kid is placed on one of these things to tape practice. Oh yeah, the wind was only blowing 50 - 60 mph! During the course of practice the strong winds toppled this thing over with the kid on it. It crashes over a fence seperating the practice area from a roadway. The kid eventually dies from injuries received. Let me add, the warning sticker on these things say not to use in winds over 25mph...
The "kid's" name is Declan Sullivan. Today is his funeral.
No doubt the family of Declan Sullivan will settle a financial settlement with the University. But, $ will never bring back their son.
Before and during practice Declan "Tweeted" his nervousness and that fact that it was "terrifying".
Okay....some of you will say he was a dumbass. He should have gotten down.....should have stood up to Coach Brian Kelly and AD Jack Swarbrick and refused to go up in the 1st place....... No doubt some reading this blog would do that.....some of you have the kahonies to do that......would you have had the same kahonies as a 20yr old AV college kid at a pressure cooker college program and to a head football coach? Keep in mind 300lb men act like robots and do whatever the coach says. Do you really want to get yelled at by a redfaced football guy? (wresting coaches are no better). Be called not a "team player". You know, you want a job after graduation and a reference from the head football coach at Notre Dame looks damn good on a resume!
Many are now looking at head coach Brian Kelly. Many are calling for his resignation. He is the one in charge of all things at practice. I or you cant just show up at ND (or any other major football program) and watch football practice. This is secret stuff! Everyone, including the AV guy is there at the direction of the head of the program.......... Tuesday ND practiced indoors because of tornado warnings. Wednesday it was decided to go out in the elements.
I don't know...not sure how I feel about coach Kelly getting the boot. I'm human. We all make mistakes. I'm a forgiving soul. I've done things in my life that looking back I realize I'm lucky I didn't kill myself or, worse, someone else. I've taken curves on a wet road at 30mph higher than posted...only to end up sideways in a marsh.....my passenger watching the salt water seep through his door. I've "laid" a motorcycle down while going 50mph and amazing myself and a girl "friend" of mine got up without 1 scratch and laughed at our luck! I'm not sure I can condemn Coach Kelly. The same as I'm not sure I can condemn a coach who has a player die during a practice because of lack of hydration. Things happen.
What I really want to say is "When did sports get so important that we need to tape practices and put people's lives in danger." I'm sure at 4-4 and just losing to Navy Coach Kelly feels immense pressure. Hey, this is "big time" college football! We gotta win! There's too much ESPN, NBC, ABC, CBS money on the line!!!!!!!!!!! I love sports as much as anybody. But, I'm wondering when did sports become so important. When did radio and TV consider Lebron James the most important thing over China, gas prices, etc..... I'm rambling, but you get the point.
Let's re-evaluate our priorities... your health, your family, your God are more important than anything in sports. The lives of others are more important than winning a game.
I just hope Coach Kelly got something out of this week's practice film to use against this weeks foe, Toledo.
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