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"Semi-pro" football player dies during game

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W

WebFire

Go Bucks!

14,779 posts
May 14, 2012 10:33 AM
http://m.toledoblade.com/local/2012/05/12/Semipro-football-player-suffers-fatal-hit-in-benefit-game-at-Springfield-High-School.html?fwcc=1&fwcl=1&fwl

Semi-pro player from Indiana died after a hit during a benefit game on Saturday. Apparently, 32 year old David Coleman, Jr. had never played sports in high school. He leaves behind 5 kids.

Honestly, I never saw the point in these leagues. But to have never even played the game before and to be doing this seems dumb. Tragic but dumb.

David went to school at Patrick Henry here in NW Ohio.
May 14, 2012 10:33am
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
May 14, 2012 10:44 AM
Damn, that sucks. Leaving behind 5 kids is rough.

I agree with you, the thought of playing semi-pro football just doesn't make sense. Yeah, I understand loving the game and all that but the injury risk just isn't worth it, IMO. You can love the game in other ways, like a rec flag football league or something.
May 14, 2012 10:44am
Pick6's avatar

Pick6

A USA American

14,946 posts
May 14, 2012 10:46 AM
justincredible;1170103 wrote:Damn, that sucks. Leaving behind 5 kids is rough.

I agree with you, the thought of playing semi-pro football just doesn't make sense. Yeah, I understand loving the game and all that but the injury risk just isn't worth it, IMO. You can love the game in other ways, like a rec flag football league or something.
so does playing amateur football not make any sense?
May 14, 2012 10:46am
Laley23's avatar

Laley23

GOAT

29,506 posts
May 14, 2012 10:51 AM
I was working that game as the Graphics Coordinator for BCSN. You guys should see the replays.

Of course you wont, because we didnt show them, and it will never air again. But yeah, lol. Dude was dead on impact, I dont care what anyone tells you.
May 14, 2012 10:51am
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
May 14, 2012 10:52 AM
Pick6;1170106 wrote:so does playing amateur football not make any sense?
I probably won't let my kids play but it makes more sense than semi-pro, IMO.
May 14, 2012 10:52am
ernest_t_bass's avatar

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

24,984 posts
May 14, 2012 10:55 AM
Laley23;1170111 wrote:I was working that game as the Graphics Coordinator for BCSN. You guys should see the replays.

Of course you wont, because we didnt show them, and it will never air again. But yeah, lol. Dude was dead on impact, I dont care what anyone tells you.
What kind of hit was it? Break his neck?
May 14, 2012 10:55am
Laley23's avatar

Laley23

GOAT

29,506 posts
May 14, 2012 10:58 AM
It was a punt return, the guy fumbled it, and then reversed field. So everyone was kind of chasing without looking downfield. One of the Jay County players who was chasing god blindsided. Helmet to helmet. This guy is like 250ish pounds and got lifted off the ground. He was completely limp in the air and landed. He never moved once during the 45 minutes of medical attention on the field.

It was a penalty (refs missed it though), but not a criminal act. Though it is being investigated, and the police have subpeoned our tape.
May 14, 2012 10:58am
Mooney44Cards's avatar

Mooney44Cards

Senior Member

2,754 posts
May 14, 2012 11:06 AM
Not that there is ever a good time for news like this, but semi-pro or not, the NFL can't like hearing about this, especially now. It just sheds more bad light on football. Whether that's fair or unfair, I can't really say. But I predict further changes in football over the next few years, especially at the amateur levels, but perhaps even the NFL.
May 14, 2012 11:06am
T

thavoice

Senior Member

14,376 posts
May 14, 2012 11:06 AM
Used to be a local "semi pro" team that played in ft recovery ohio. FUnny thing is...the QB of that team didnt even play football his last couple of years of HS yet still led the team to the finals...they actually got to play in the RCA Dome..but anyways...


They always asked me to play but I never saw the point. Too much risk involved in it. I always kinda laughed at the whole semi pro moniker
May 14, 2012 11:06am
OSH's avatar

OSH

Kosh B'Gosh

4,145 posts
May 14, 2012 11:18 AM
Pick6;1170106 wrote:so does playing amateur football not make any sense?
The more I read research, the more I don't like it. I probably won't allow my kids to play.

It's unfortunate because I really enjoy the sport.
thavoice;1170137 wrote:They always asked me to play but I never saw the point. Too much risk involved in it. I always kinda laughed at the whole semi pro moniker
I definitely do the same. I hate the term "semi-pro."

Nothing wrong with playing recreationally, but there has got to be a point where someone says, "I cannot do this competitively anymore." At 32-years-old, never being a high school athlete, playing tackle football in full pads seems like a terrible idea.
May 14, 2012 11:18am
oberhaus's avatar

oberhaus

Senior Member

868 posts
May 14, 2012 11:29 AM
Tragic news for Dave and his family. Those 5 girls losing their dad.

Sad thing is Dave never played any sports in school. Never struck me as being athletic. Football isn't something someone should just jump into with never having played. Especially when you are going against former college players.

I dont want to sound insensitive but Dave had no business on that field.
May 14, 2012 11:29am
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
May 14, 2012 11:34 AM
oberhaus;1170180 wrote:I dont want to sound insensitive but Dave had no business on that field.
I don't think it sounds insensitive at all. And I agree 100%. It just doesn't make any sense.
May 14, 2012 11:34am
Q

queencitybuckeye

Senior Member

7,117 posts
May 14, 2012 11:35 AM
No one with a family to raise belongs on that field unless it's an NFL field. Risking one's health and life for peanuts and ego is an extremely selfish act.
May 14, 2012 11:35am
Belly35's avatar

Belly35

Elderly Intellectual

9,716 posts
May 14, 2012 11:47 AM
Semi-pro is following a dream that will most likely never happen.
At sometime in everyone athletic career you have to face the facts that it is over and be relegated to recreational sport.</SPAN>

Semi-pro is some additional money but not worth the potential injury and pain. Better to go to Canada try out fail and come home knowing that your career is done. </SPAN>
May 14, 2012 11:47am
S

Sonofanump

May 14, 2012 11:49 AM
Laley23;1170121 wrote:It was a punt return, the guy fumbled it, and then reversed field. So everyone was kind of chasing without looking downfield. One of the Jay County players who was chasing god blindsided. Helmet to helmet. This guy is like 250ish pounds and got lifted off the ground. He was completely limp in the air and landed. He never moved once during the 45 minutes of medical attention on the field.

It was a penalty (refs missed it though), but not a criminal act. Though it is being investigated, and the police have subpeoned our tape.
Curious based upon your description. What was the foul?
May 14, 2012 11:49am
justincredible's avatar

justincredible

Nick Mangold

32,056 posts
May 14, 2012 11:52 AM
Sonofanump;1170201 wrote:Curious based upon your description. What was the foul?
I'm guessing helmet to helmet? Leading with the head. Whatever it's called.
May 14, 2012 11:52am
Laley23's avatar

Laley23

GOAT

29,506 posts
May 14, 2012 11:53 AM
Sonofanump;1170201 wrote:Curious based upon your description. What was the foul?
They play by NFL rules, so helmet to helmet. Guy kind of launched. His arms were at the side at the time of impact, then he raised up with a follow through.
May 14, 2012 11:53am
V

vball10set

paying it forward

24,795 posts
May 14, 2012 11:54 AM
Laley23;1170121 wrote:It was a punt return, the guy fumbled it, and then reversed field. So everyone was kind of chasing without looking downfield. One of the Jay County players who was chasing god blindsided. Helmet to helmet. This guy is like 250ish pounds and got lifted off the ground. He was completely limp in the air and landed. He never moved once during the 45 minutes of medical attention on the field.
Laley, I was told it was helmet to sternum, and he more than likely died of cardiac arrest instantaneously. Was this the case, or did you see the helmet to helmet on the tape?

btw, 'lol'? :confused:
Of course you wont, because we didnt show them, and it will never air again. But yeah, lol. Dude was dead on impact, I dont care what anyone tells you.
May 14, 2012 11:54am
hasbeen's avatar

hasbeen

Excuse me, Flo?

6,504 posts
May 14, 2012 11:55 AM
I never understood semi-pro either. After four years of college ball, my body can't handle it.

Something related to this situation, do these teams hold lifting sessions? Because strengthening your neck was an everyday thing for football. If this guy never played sports and wasn't athletic, his neck (along with everything else probably) wasn't strong enough to support the helmet or any impact.

This is really sad.
May 14, 2012 11:55am
OSH's avatar

OSH

Kosh B'Gosh

4,145 posts
May 14, 2012 11:58 AM
Sonofanump;1170201 wrote:Curious based upon your description. What was the foul?
justincredible;1170204 wrote:I'm guessing helmet to helmet? Leading with the head. Whatever it's called.
Laley23;1170205 wrote:They play by NFL rules, so helmet to helmet. Guy kind of launched. His arms were at the side at the time of impact, then he raised up with a follow through.
What's that newer penalty based on "hitting a defenseless player?" Something along that sorts. Could've been that too right? Basically it's a personal foul - unnecessary roughness.
May 14, 2012 11:58am
Laley23's avatar

Laley23

GOAT

29,506 posts
May 14, 2012 12:01 PM
vball10set;1170207 wrote:Laley, I was told it was helmet to sternum, and he more than likely died of cardiac arrest instantaneously. Was this the case, or did you see the helmet to helmet on the tape?

btw, 'lol'? :confused:
It REALLY looked like helmet to helmet. Our one angle was the high game cam, so you cant see it there. Our 2 follow cams were pretty good. But, one had the ref in the way, the other sure looks like helmet to helmet. His head snapped back. They are doing an autopsy today so we will know sure I guess. The arm followed through in his chest, and his helmet kind of hit under the other guys, but the crown of the helmet definitely went up and under the facemask which snapped the head backwards.

It may have been cardiac arrest, but he was limp in the air, and motionless on the ground. In otherwords, I think he was knocked out as well, if it was cardiac arrest.

The LOL was more about all the news outlets and what they are reporting regarding the medical attention and everything. I guess since I dont know for sure, I shouldnt speculate though. But it really seemed like the prolonged CPR and everything was being performed with extremely false hope for those watching. But I really dont wanna comment on what we were told by police and paramedics.
May 14, 2012 12:01pm
Laley23's avatar

Laley23

GOAT

29,506 posts
May 14, 2012 12:03 PM
OSH;1170210 wrote:What's that newer penalty based on "hitting a defenseless player?" Something along that sorts. Could've been that too right? Basically it's a personal foul - unnecessary roughness.
I guess it couldve been, but he did turn around right at the last second. He was running, so Im not sure what the rule is for being "defenseless" if you arent in the air making a play.
May 14, 2012 12:03pm
V

vball10set

paying it forward

24,795 posts
May 14, 2012 12:05 PM
^^^thanks, and it had to be rough for you to watch it....my thoughts and prayers go out to the Coleman family.
May 14, 2012 12:05pm
S

Sonofanump

May 14, 2012 12:09 PM
Launching helmet to helmet on a play would be a foul. It sounded like the blocker and the blockee (deceased) were both still in the play, so it might not be defenseless. I can not see from the description that this was criminal.

Semi-pro is adults playing at a eighth grade level. They pay to play.
May 14, 2012 12:09pm
M

MontyBrunswick

May 14, 2012 12:10 PM
WebFire;1170087 wrote:
Honestly, I never saw the point in these leagues.

He was probably doing it for the same reason people skydive/race cars/etc: because it's fun
May 14, 2012 12:10pm