UCF head football coach George O’Leary said he would have intervened to help player Ereck Plancher, if he had seen him in distress during the March 18, 2008 practice after which the player collapsed and died.
O'Leary said there were several trainers, some students, keeping an eye on the players that day. O'Leary was informed in June 2007 that Plancher had sickle cell trait.
He said he was watching the session, but did not say he focused on Plancher.
Under questioning by plaintiff's attorney Steve Yerrid, O'Leary admitted he never talked with Plancher about sickle cell trait, but insisted that the head football trainer had spoken with the freshman wide receiver.
Yerrid asked O'Leary why UCF had no paid head trainer on it's staff in 2008.
O'Leary said it would have been "beneficial, helpful, but not necessary."
The coach testified that he did not see Plancher on the ground after practice, but he did see him stumble.
Plancher's parents are suing UCF Athletics Association for negligence.
Although a medical examiner ruled that the sickling of red blood cells led to the death, the UCFAA argues that the student-player suffered from a pre-existing heart condition.
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