Oregon football players hospitalized after workouts, strength coach suspended

Three Oregon football players have been hospitalized after "grueling" workouts.

Three Oregon football players have been hospitalized after several intense off-season workouts last week, The Oregonian first reported.

Offensive linemen Doug Brenner and Sam Poutasi and tight end Cam McCormick were listed in fair condition and hospitalized at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend in Springfield after sustaining exercise-related injuries. Oregon said in a statement that two other players reported similar symptoms and muscle soreness.

Oregon announced later Tuesday that strength coach Irele Oderinde had been suspended without pay for one month.

“I have visited with the three young men involved in the incidents in the past few days and I have been in constant contact with their families, offering my sincere apologies,” head coach Willie Taggart said in a statement. “As the head football coach, I hold myself responsible for all of our football-related activities and the safety of our students must come first. I have addressed the issue with our strength and conditioning staff, and I fully support the actions taken today by the university. I want to thank our medical staff and doctors for caring for all of our young men, and I want to apologize to the university, our students, alumni and fans.”

“The university holds the health, safety and well-being of all of our students in high regard,” said Rob Mullens, UO director of athletics. “We are confident that these athletes will soon return to full health, and we will continue to support them and their families in their recoveries.”

Poutasi's mother told the paper said that her son complained of sore arms after the workouts and had been diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis is a muscle disorder which can lead to kidney failure and death.

All players had been released from the hospital as of Friday morning.