Since that fateful day of August 3, 2001, the Northwestern University campus in Evanston, Illinois has been under a somber hush.  This hush is not because students are studying for their dreaded midterm exams but because of what happened on the football field just a little over a month ago.
 
          During a traditional pre ñ season conditioning test, senior defensive back Rashidi Wheeler was forced to sit out a sprint because of breathing problems, a routine occurrence.  A chronic asthmatic, Wheeler has had 30 or so other asthma attacks on the football field.  However, Wheeler was not able to catch his breath after this particular attack.  Rashidi Wheeler collapsed on the Wildcat football field and died a few hours later in a Chicago area hospital with the preliminary cause being bronchial asthma.  Wheeler was only 22 years old.  The Wildcatís 2001 season has been dedicated to the memory of Rashidi Wheeler.

          Ironically, two days earlier on August 1, 2001, NFL All ñ Pro Kory Stringer from the Minnesota Vikings died in Mankato, Minnesota from complications from heat stroke.  Stringer, who teammates say came in from Ohio State overweight and worked his way into the best shape he had been in years, finished the morning practice and immediately entered and collapsed in an air-conditioned shelter after vomiting three times on the field.  Trainers immediately began working on Stringer, whoís body temperature rose to 108 degrees, but it was too late.  Stringer died at the age of 27.  The Vikingís 2001 season has been dedicated to the memory of Kory Stringer.

          These tragic deaths, however, are not new to the football world.  On August 19, 1995, upon arriving at Mount Carmel high school for one of my first football practices, tragedy struck home.  Earlier in the day, in the midst of post 95-degree weather, Caravan senior offensive lineman Kevin J. Dowling collapsed on the field due to the heat.  Dowling was rushed to a Chicago area hospital where he lay in a coma for days.  Dowling died from multiple organ failures that were caused from complications due to heat exhaustion that he suffered sixteen days earlier.  He died at the age of 17.  The Caravan, likewise, dedicated that 1995 season to the loving memory of their friend and teammate, Kevin J. Dowling.

At this day and age, when we are supposedly healthier... why are we dying?

          This summer many football teams of all levels have had the saddening experience of dedicating their seasons to passed teammates.  From July 19 through August 18, 2001, seven middle school, high school, collegiate, and professional football players have collapsed and later died at or soon after their respective practices.

          On July 19, 18-year-old University of Florida freshman Eraste Autin collapsed at practice.  He died on July 25.  On August 1, Travis Stowers, a 17-year-old from Michigantown, Ind., collapsed and died; the same day All-Pro lineman Korey Stringer of the Minnesota Vikings also died on the field.  On August 15, Jamarious Derez Bennett, a 13-year-old eighth grader collapsed and died August 15 in Monticello, Ga.  On Aug. 17 in Luling, Texas, Steven Taylor Coe, a 15 year old, collapsed and died on a light day of practice that consisted of wearing only helmets and shorts that morning.  On August 18, 14-year-old Leonard Carter II from Houston, Texas, collapsed and died at a Lamar high school practice.

          Should people be afraid or turn away from the game of football?  Leonard Carter, father of victim Leonard Carter II does not think so.  ìI am not angry about the sport of football,î Carter said in a recent interview.  ìI am angry about the recent tragedies.  Itís happening to often.î  However, questions are still being asked by concerned bystanders.
 
          While giving an interview to the Chicago Tribune, Michigantown paramedic Dave Elliott, who responded to the call for Travis Stowers, recalls, ìIíve been doing this 25 years as [a paramedic] and firefighter and Iíve never seen anything like this.  In this day and age, when we are supposedly healthier, with all the technology and medical information available, why are we dying?î

          Elliot poses a good question: ìWhy are we dying?î  The National Center for Catastrophic Sports Injury Research at the University of North Carolina performed a study that reveals that 73 high school players, 10 collegians, and one professional or semipro had died in the past 10 seasons, 1991-2000.  This mathematically comes out to 8.4 football players a year that die from causes on the field by exertion or other complications.

          Seven players died this year.   Hypothetically, 8.4 died last year.  Why was there no mention of these deaths in previous years one may ask?  The answer:  No one like Rashidi Wheeler or Kory Stringer had died in previous years.

          Wishing that a death to a star like Stringer or Wheeler had not happened earlier is cruel and immoral.  However, this summerís deaths beg the question, ìWould these recent deaths have occurred if the dangers and horror stories of practicing were made national earlier?î  If it would have, maybe Kevin would still be alive today.  Maybe Steven would not have collapsed and died.  Maybe Rashidi would not have had that fatal asthma attack.  Maybe the parents of an eighth grader would not have to deal with the fact that their 13- year-old son died because he pushed himself too hard.

          Maybe we would be able to stop dedicating our seasons to our lost brothers.
 

Dan Turney