Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07) and U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Maryland) introduced a new piece of legislation that would require college and high school athletic programs to implement heat illness emergency action plans.
The Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act is named after the former University of Maryland football player who tragically died from heat illness in 2018.
The act would require schools to consult local medical responders and come up with a heat illness emergency action plan with cold water immersion equipment.
“This legislation will set lifesaving safety standards for both high school and college sports programs,” said Jordan’s father, Martin McNair. “As a father who lost his son to heat stroke, I know firsthand the cost of inaction. It’s time we make athlete safety non-negotiable.”
Alsobrooks introduced the legislation into the Senate on Thursday, while Mfume introduced it into the House of Representatives.
“Jordan McNair would be 26 today. We must honor his memory by getting this legislation passed,” Alsobrooks said.
“For many young athletes, these experiences turn into traumatic ones as they mourn the loss of their teammates—like Jordan McNair,” added Mfume. “I am grateful for Senator Alsobrooks’ co-leadership on this legislation, and for her work in the U.S. Senate to help get this done.”
On May 28, 2018, freshman Jordan McNair was participating in a summer conditioning workout at the University of Maryland. During the workout, he began to experience symptoms of heat illness.
A later investigation revealed an athletic trainer took more than an hour after McNair started revealing symptoms to call 9-1-1. McNair died two weeks later after receiving an emergency liver transplant.
The new legislation is endorsed by The Jordan McNair Foundation and the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.
“The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) is proud to support the Jordan McNair Student Athlete Heat Fatality Prevention Act and applauds Congressman Kweisi Mfume for his leadership in prioritizing the health and safety of student athletes,” said NATA President AJ Duffy III. “While not every athlete has access to a certified athletic trainer, the implementation of emergency action plans ensures that critical, lifesaving protocols are in place when every second counts.”
According to the National Weather Service, some common symptoms of heat illness are nausea, vommiting, pale skin, dizziness and muscle cramps. If you or anyone begins feeling these symptoms and may suspect heat illness, call 9-1-1.
