Football player's parents file wrongful death suit
The parents of Dale Lloyd II, the Rice defensive back who died Sept. 24, 2006 following a regularly scheduled football practice, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the university Tuesday. They contend that a combination of performance-enhancing supplements containing creatine and rigorous practices caused a fatal reaction due to his underlying sickle-cell anemia. Former Rice football coach Todd Graham, four other Rice assistant coaches and team doctors, and the NCAA were also named in the lawsuit, as well as two manufacturers of performance-enhancing dietary supplements: Optimal Nutrition Systems and Cytosport, according to Houston-based Lanier Law Firm in a press release Tuesday, on behalf of Lloyd's parents.
According to the Lanier press release, after Lloyd's death, doctors discovered he carried the sickle cell trait. The dietary supplements that he and many other players were given just prior to practice contained creatine, which can exacerbate the genetic disease. The lawsuit claimed Lloyd became exhausted during a grueling workout including sixteen 100-yard sprints.
Lanier said they hope the suit will encourage universities to step up their testing for sickle cell, which affects 1 in 12 African Americans.
"By filing this lawsuit, the Lloyd family hopes to prevent other families from having to suffer through a similar needless tragedy," Lawyer W. Mark Lanier said in the press release.
Director of News and Media Relations B.J. Almond said the official statement of the university was released Tuesday, and it states that the coaches did everything in their power to ensure the safety and well-being of their team. Rice has hired Rusty Hardin & Associates to represent the university in this case.
In the two years following his death, Rice has created an athletic scholarship in honor of Lloyd, who was a 19-year-old freshman. Additionally, the football team has maintained Lloyd's locker in his memory.
"Rice regrets Dale's death and the loss suffered by his family," a Rice official said in the press release. "Dale's teammates, coaches, professors and other Rice friends share the Lloyd family's sorrow. Nonetheless, university employees acted responsibly throughout the unfortunate incident, and Rice will defend itself vigorously against this litigation.
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