In an interview with Kansas City public radio station KCUR at last week's MIAA Coaches Day, Sims said the death of Braeden Bradforth, 19, who died of heat stroke following a particularly grueling practice was an act of God.
"It's unfortunate what happened," Sims told KCUR, "but God has a plan."
The Star took issue with Sims' characterization.
It was a stunning, horrific statement. Bradforth, who grew up in New Jersey, did not die as part of God’s plan. He died needlessly and painfully, a victim of a football culture run amok — a culture encouraged by adults like Jeff Sims.The Star said if Sims had "any shame or any self awareness he would resign as Missouri Southern coach, "get out of the coaching business. At minimum, he should apologize."
Sims, other Garden City coaches and the college are defendants in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Bradforth's mother.
Bradforth's death was the subject of a Sports Illustrated article posted June 24.
The Sports Illustrated and KCUR articles describea practice in which Bradforth and other football players were required to do 36 50-yard sprints without taking water breaks.
Sims has disputed that allegation, saying 60 gallons of water were available. The KCUR article indicates Sims would not say when he allowed the players to get a drink.
A report from emergency personnel obtained by Associated Press through a Freedom of Information Act request indicated Braeforth did not follow other players to a team meeting and when the meeting broke up, they discovered him on the ground moaning and in obvious distress.
Players called an assistant coach over. The coach called Sims to ask him what to do, according to the report and Sims told him to call the trainer, who had left the campus. By the time, emergency personnel were finally called and arrived, it had been 48 minutes since Braeforth had been found.
Braeden Braeforth was pronounced dead 33 minutes later.
21 comments:
So God killed Braeden? Is Heaven in dire need of an offensive lineman?
Waiting for the first "big-city folk oughta stay out of our bidness" reply. Which I'd have more understanding of if the local press was tackling the subject.
Steve, as usual, your comments are so well thought out and intelligent. You,sir, are one of the reasons I visit this blog.
Thank you, 5:21. You made my day. I've been visiting this blog less and less as I get angrier about the way the world is heading. I get why Billy Long's press releases are on here. He's the local representative. I do not get why outside agitators like Cynthia Davis and the Eagle Forum are on here without equal time for progressive voices. It's Randy's blog to do with as he pleases, just as it is my right to avoid the blog in favor of the cartoons and sports pages instead. They're better for my blood pressure.
Let this be a lesson to you, Steve. Sometimes the person that appears to be paying you an internet compliment is actually
just a douche bag.
OK, 5:06. You got me. I don't mock people with a different point of view (I'll start now, though, just for you). If you weren't so bent on slamming me with your talking points, you would have noticed I didn't object to Billy Long being here, or Ed Emery or Jason White. They are actual legislators in this area. Davis and the Eagle Forum are not. What I object to is that lack of opposing viewpoints. It's all conservatives piling on. It's Randy's blog. He can do as I wish.
Calling someone an agitator has long been a charge leveled by conservatives. I learned from the best.
Now, 5:06, man up and tell me what you objected to about my original post. You think the football player deserved to die, or the coach had nothing to do with it, or it's worth it 'cause it's football or it's not the Star's business? What is it?
10:00, thank you - unless you're being sarcastic, too. I can't say more. He hurted my feelings, and I'm having a private liberal cry session.
Steve, I made the original post at 5:21 but not the one at 10:00.
I loathe conservatives just like you. I don't know Randy insists on catering to them. They have nothing of value to add to any conversation.
Steve, go back and read your original post, dear. You in fact were mocking people. Silly, Steve.
You are right, 10:52. I was mocking a man who said the death of a young man for whom he was responsible was "an act of God." After the tornado, I had a nice visit with a man who led the Stephen Ministers program for a local church. They are lay ministers/counselors. He said one of the things they were taught *never* to say to a grieving person was that their loss was, "God's will."
The Star editorial did not go far enough. The people who hired and vetted the coach should go as well.
I have open-mindedly listened to the conservative perspective. I don't have to REMAIN open minded to what I found to be mostly crap. Your burn attempt is idiotic.
If one believes in God, then they have no choice to believe that it was God's will.
I am afraid I have left the wrong impression. I do not loathe conservatives. I am an independent who owes my vote to nobody. I have a deep respect for true conservatives who practice what they preach, as opposed to the big-spending buttinskis who call themselves conservatives now.
But...but...that's science!
Ah, there it is. A dash of transphobic rage from an ol' boy who just doesn't recognize the world anymore, am I right?
And liberals are big-spending?
Or logic. The point made specifically said 12 year old. Kids at that age aren't trusted to vote, drink, drive or choose to have sex with whom they please. They can't have a bank account. They can't have a job. Because society as a whole doesn't trust them to do these things and rightfully so. They are children. However, we supposed to believe that they are capable of deciding their gender.
A 21 year old choosing their gender? Whatever. Your call. Do what you want. A 12 year old, which is what was mentioned, you have got to be kidding.
No rage. No transphobic. Just common sense.
Transphobic? 4:12, you should have referred to 5:44 as logicphobic. Liberals seem to be scared of logic.
5:44, explain the science of being transgendered, please.
Like, let's say that a person born male transgenders to female then they pass away and two hundred years later their remains are unearthed. Are the bones that of a male or female?
Lashing out, apropos of nothing, at transgenderism. You're a hate crime waiting in the wings.
9:38, go to a safe space. Take a deep breath. I promise you, those of us with logic can handle the situation.
@9:38
Reading back through the above posts, I didn't see where anyone "lashed out". It would appear that you took offense because someone suggested 12 year olds do not have the mental capacity to make life changing decisions. You glossed over the point made which was about age, not about being transgender. However as is typical with people on the left, you start ranting about phobias and hate crimes. So, be a dear and tell us all why would you assume that someone suggesting that a 12 year old is a child would be someone who would commit a hate crime? Or are you babbling about the other person who posted about the science of transgendering? If so, explain to us all how asking a question can be a hate crime.
That is in advance for what I am sure will be an eye opening response.
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