On anniversary of Jordan McNair’s death, Maryland football to partake in health & wellness clinic

It’s been a year since Maryland offensive lineman Jordan McNair died of heatstroke at age 19. On the anniversary of his death, Terps coaches and players will honor his life at a health and wellness clinic.

McDonogh School, McNair’s alma mater, hosts the event from 5-7 p.m. Thursday. Those in attendance will partake in “warmups, stretching and individual sessions” with the Terps; learn about the signs, symptoms and prevention of heat-related injuries; and listen to players’ stories about their fallen teammate.

The Jordan McNair Foundation was founded shortly after his death, and aims “to see the number of heat-related illnesses occurring in student athletes significantly reduced.”

This continues a strong relationship between the McNair Foundation and new Maryland head coach Mike Locksley. McNair’s parents attended Locksley’s introductory press conference, at which the coach said they helped each other cope with the experience of losing a son (Locksley’s son Meiko was shot and killed in 2017. Locksley also attended the foundation’s Chipotle fundraiser in April, paying for the first $790 of purchases, and participated in its inaugural golf tournament last month.

After McNair’s death, Maryland hired Dr. Rod Walters to lead an external investigation, which concluded in September. The university has carried out the 19 of the Walters report’s 20 recommendations, and the last — the hiring of a new head team physician that will work under the University Health Center — will complete the checklist.

It’s been an emotional year, and the aftermath of McNair’s death became a long and disheartening saga. So many questions were raised in the process, and several of those questions are still unanswered. But it’s clear this program is prioritizing keeping McNair’s legacy alive, and that Locksley will continue to be right at the front of those efforts.

In other news

The Baltimore Sun’s Don Markus wrote about how the program and university are remembering McNair’s legacy while also moving forward.

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