LANDOVER, MD — Former University of Maryland football player Jordan McNair was honored Saturday during the season opener for the Maryland Terrapins. The Randallstown resident died of what his family said was heat stroke after an off-season practice in the late spring. He was 19.
The offensive lineman, who was a McDonogh graduate, was hospitalized May 29 and died on June 13.
His death has since sparked staffing and other changes at the university.
Before the game against the Texas Longhorns began, there was a moment of silence to honor the memory of McNair. Then the Terps lined up with a hole on the field in McNair’s position.
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
After Maryland beat Texas, 34-29, the Terps ran a flag bearing McNair’s number around the field, and nature delivered its own surprise as well.
Rainbow over the stadium. Congrats on today’s win, Terps! pic.twitter.com/wdsJFPWGoV
— Univ. of Maryland (@UofMaryland) September 1, 2018
For Him. For You.#JM79 | #TerpNation pic.twitter.com/Ta1JGTLfGB
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) September 1, 2018
McNair’s number, 79, has been retired by the team until 2021, according to ESPN, which reported the measure would be in place until after he would have graduated and was one of several tributes planned.
See pictures from the game below, with ways the team honored McNair at the Sept. 1 game at FedExField.
First game #PlayForJordan pic.twitter.com/Zt9fbm9sCR
— Maryland Cheer (@MarylandCheer) September 1, 2018
For Him. For You.#JM79 | #TerpNation pic.twitter.com/Ta1JGTLfGB
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) September 1, 2018
Terps line up with 10 men on the first play. Classy gesture from Texas to decline the delay of game.#JM79 pic.twitter.com/a4VHfYwR33
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) September 1, 2018
University of Maryland President Wallace D. Loh apologized in August for what happened to McNair and said that steps would be taken to ensure that “no University of Maryland student-athlete is ever again put in a situation where his or her safety and life are at foreseeable risk.”
A preliminary review found that trainers misdiagnosed Jordan’s initial symptoms and did not even take his vital signs, according to Loh.
“The University accepts legal and moral responsibility for these mistakes,” Loh said in a statement.
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A four-person commission is examining the university’s football program, after an ESPN report cast doubt on the initial investigation. Its findings are expected in mid September.
Following the ESPN report, Terps head football coach DJ Durkin was put on administrative leave. Strength and conditioning coach Rick Court “parted ways” with the university, according to CBS.
Matt Canada is serving as the interim head football coach.
Pictured, James Rosenberry #47 of the Maryland Terrapins, along with the entire team, wore a #79 sticker on their helmets in memory of former Terrapin player Jordan McNair as they played the Texas Longhorns at FedExField on Sept. 1, 2018, in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)