Indiana high school under fire after 19 football players hospitalized

According to a WANE15 report, the Indianapolis law firm CohenMalad Trail Lawyers is investigating claims of 19 Indiana high school football players being hospitalized after scrimmaging in outdoor temperatures of around 90-degrees.

Per reports, Snider High School of Fort Wayne, Indiana, is the football program in question as being alleged to have held a Aug. 9 practice that involved athletes being “forced to do 10x10s which is a very extreme military type workout,” via a a unnamed parent of one of the players.

Another WANE15 report went on to state a situation in which one of the Snider football players had allegedly went up to one of the athletic trainers to complain that his arms had become swollen and he couldn’t bend them. The trainer had reportedly told the aforementioned player to get through the workout and return to the school on Monday. The player by Monday had to visit the emergency room due to the extreme heat he had practiced in.

Fort Wayne Community Schools (FWCS) had previously issued multiple statements back in mid-August and said the following regarding the allegations of multiple players suffering heat related medical issues:

Our focus continues to be on our students and families and their health and well-being. It is concerning that a number of students on the same team have fallen ill with similar symptoms. At this point, however, there has been no conclusion as to what caused them to become ill over the course of several days. FWCS has clear heat advisory guidelines, and our investigation confirmed those guidelines were followed. Fort Wayne Community Schools has reached out to the Allen County Department of Health for assistance in identifying any connection between the illnesses. We will continue to work directly with the students and families affected and monitor others on the team for any similar symptoms. – Aug. 12

We are currently looking into this situation and working directly with families. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to take extra precautions during times of higher temperatures, monitor for signs of heat-related illness and stay hydrated. – Aug. 12

The FWCS released the following statement regarding the ongoing investigation being conducted by CohenMalad Trail Lawyers.

As previously stated, Fort Wayne Community Schools has clear heat advisory guidelines, and our investigation confirmed those guidelines were followed, including taking frequent breaks, having water readily available and avoiding the use of full gear. FWCS cannot comment on this Indianapolis law firm inquiry. – Sep. 9

The Panthers are currently 1-2 on the 2025 season and return to action this Friday night against the winless Fort Wayne Generals (0-3).

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