Thanks to a lawsuit brought on by the family of Dale Lloyd II, the NCAA is now strongly recommending schools to test their collegiate athletes for the sickle cell trait, according to CBSSports.com. Lloyd died in September 2006 after a workout at Rice University that included 16 100-yard sprints. The cause of death was sickle cell trait and his family sued Rice for not testing him for the trait. According to the National Athletic Trainer's Association, during intense exertion, red blood cells can sickle, which can block blood vessels and cause fatal seizures.
According to CBSSports.com, five of the 10 deaths in Division I-A football this decade have been attributed to sickle cell trait. The NCAA was concerned about pushing sickle cell trait testing in the past for fear of being accused of racial profiling, since one in 12 Black folks have it, but Caucasians are able to carry the trait as well.
"The most gratifying part about this case is I am very hopeful and optimistic we have seen the last death of a sickle cell athlete," Eugene Egdorf, attorney for the Lloyd family, told CBSSports.com.
Although the settlement from the lawsuit wasn't made public, the NCAA will produce an educational video on the dangers of sickle cell trait. It will also donate $50,000 to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America and $10,000 to the Dale R. Lloyd II scholarship fund, according to CBSSports.com.
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By: sissy1891 on 7/01/2009 1:58PM
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By: gibby on 7/01/2009 4:44PM
This is a very interesting case. The NCAA is not known for putting the student-athlete first. Typically the student-athlete ranks somewhere below money and public relations. This seems to be the case here too. If CBS Sports has its numbers right, half of the 10 deaths in college football in the last decade have been related to sickle cell. And the NCAA takes no action until being sued and their excuse is that they were afraid of being accused of racial profiling. This is lame. I think they should be more afraid of people seeing graduation rates of black football and basketball players.
I wonder if they consulted with any African-American groups about this fear or just assumed that one on their own. I think if presented with the facts, most would push for the testing. But I guess that there could also be a problem of when the testing would be done. Would all high school recruits go through the testing and those who test positive do not get that athletic scholarship? Or those testing positive, are they monitored closely during games and practices? This case may be settled but I do not think that is the end of the story. The settlement does not mention testing but I hope the NCAA does the right thing. The video and donations are great but the NCAA will have to reform some policy and that is where things tend to get bogged down, especially when it will be costly as testing surely would.
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By: paul e washington-lacey on 7/03/2009 9:54AM
The family(s) should know about THEIR STUDENT ATHLETE'S health prior to college! The test is simple for sickle cell and SHOULD have been apart of routine screening YEARS BEFORE the 17th birth date. The NCAA should not waste time or money for such willful ignorance. NO college/university should be held accountable for such a health concern if the athlete had the prpoper medical screening like all the other athletes.
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By: aadams on 7/03/2009 4:10PM
Well I do not think its the colleges responsibility to test the athletes for the sickle cell trait, we as parents should have this test done when they are babies especially if one of the parents has it. Both my son and daughter were tested for the trait and they both has the trait.
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By: Mary dayson on 7/03/2009 5:16PM
No person dies from sickle cell traits. I am 62 years old and have sickle traits. Sickle cell traits causes no medical problems. I had three children two of them have sickle cell traits they have no problems with the traits . I have a 15 year old grandson with sickle cell disease so i know quite a lot about sickle cell. My grandson got sickle cell disease because my daughter his mother and his father both have the sickle trait.I dont know of anyone who died from sickle cell traits.My grandson was diagnosed at birth with sickle cell disease.
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By: Cindy Clarke on 7/03/2009 6:01PM
although I think its a good thing that the NCAA is looking out for student players who have sickle cell trait, i personally don't feel it is their responsibilty to test for the trait. I have sickle cell disease and my son and daughter both have the trait, when they aare ready to join any kind of sports it is up to them and myself to inform coaches and leagues of their condition. As much as i feel for the Lloyd family they should have known about their son it wasn't the schools fault if they did not know he had the trait.
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By: kluv904 on 7/03/2009 10:49PM
My heart goes out to the family; it’s tough to loose a loved one. With that being said, I personally don’t believe the NCAA is obligated to test for sickle cell or the trait. It is the responsibility of the parent to know their child’s condition . In 1983 the state of Texas where Lloyd was born incorporated sickle cell testing in there Newborn Screening Program. This means all children born there after were tested for sickle cell. When my children was born they was tested and 2 was diagnosed with the trait, their dad carries the trait. My point being it is a bit hard for me to believe his parents was not aware of their child having the sickle cell trait.
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