Taggart apologizes for hospitalized players, suspends coach

After reports of three Oregon players being hospitalized during offseason workouts, head coach Willie Taggart apologized for the situation and took responsibility, and he has suspended new strength and conditioning coach Irele Oderinde.

“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,” Taggart said in a released statement by the school. “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.”

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Oderinde will be suspended for one month without pay, and former strength and conditioning coach Jim Radcliffe resuming those duties.

The three players who were hospitalized were offensive linemen Doug Brenner and Sam Poutasi, as well as tight end Cam McCormick.

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The incident happened last Thursday during workouts.

“The university holds the health, safety and well-being of all or our students in high regard,” Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens said in a released statement. “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.”

Three Oregon football players hospitalized during workouts

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