Ereck Plancher, UCF, lawsuit, family, dead football player

[Alan Schmadtke]

Decided to jump in after reading some of the comments above and wanted to set the record straight.

Often on a breaking story we re-cast a story. We get new information or better information and update the story. As part of that, we actually create a new story. And when we do that, the message board on that old story -- Topix comment board -- doesn't follow and connect to the bottom of the newer story.

It's unfortunate, but it's true. We're looking at a solution to an issue that happens from time to time.

In this case, the comments (and comment board) were not removed because of any content.(Or any rips on the Sentinel or OS.com . We're happy to provide the forum for any opinion that's not personal to the reporter, degrading to others on the board, etc.)

Just wanted to set the record straight.

Alan Schmadtke
Deputy Online Editor
OrlandoSentinel.com

[Jay]

The players quoted anomously were disgruntled former players, one of which has been baker acted. i take the word of current players over theirs

[not the same]

Do you understand what Freedom of Speech means????
Last I heard the newspaper is not the government

Aron wrote:

Man I still can't believe that because this was getting so heated (the conversations on this topic) the Sentinel had to move it.
WTF? What happened to freedom of speech!!!?

[george Wiggins]

all lawyers need to go to hell.

[usfrocks]

lol wrote:

i hope they sue con artist ucf president john hitt and that scum_bag head of security at ucf, richard beary...brother of pedophile kevin beary.

Another loser with a drive by posting with no facts to back up their ridicules claims

[Jimmy]

FMS wrote:

It'll be up to the jury, but I think that if UCF thought it was in the wrong it would admit it. Although Plancher's death is tragic, I'm sure a jury will find that UCF did things by the book.

Pretty naive to think they would admit it.

[do the right thing]

Some of you use this to bash UCF, or the coach or whatever. Some bash the parents. That is not right.

I agree that the parents have the right to sue.

I'm a UCF fan so I'm biased, but I also want the truth to be told.

What we have is a lot of rumors. I hope the writer of this story is ready to get in the witness stand!

The 4 anonymous players won't be anonymous once it hits the public court system. I hope I get picked as a juror...

Friday the hit piece come out by Mike Blah-ainchi... I can't wait...this paper is like the journalist version of a AM radio Shock Jock...

Rest In Peace E.P.

[Typical]

These people only care about the $$, forget trying to maintain some dignity and integrity for their son. I knew the family would end up suing. That's the norm for today's society. Nobody wants to take responsibility for their own actions or the actions of their family. It's always somebody else's fault. I hope UCF doesn't settle and the family doesn't get anything. Greedy m****r f*****s!

[marcus welby]

Sickle cell trait usually is a non problem, but under extreme conditions can cause problems. I wonder if the family could have sued if he was denied the opportunity to play. This condition is found at birth and is part of universal screening of all newborns at birth. It is all about money. This kid should have been told not to go into sports long time ago.

With some luck the lawyer will get millions, share a few thousand with the family and derail the UCF football team program. Nobody ever died from being on the debate team.

[Jay]

Sean wrote:

<quoted text>
What does suing have to do with their being black??? I have seen people of all races sue for outlandish reasons.

His ignorant post didn't deserve a response. Obviously he's not smart enough to understand your point, because if he was he'd know that already.

[Jay]

Do not be Fooled wrote:

O'Leary is a snake. He doesn't fire the guys that don't produce on his coaching staff, instead demotes them. He keeps those that he knows will yes sir him. Take a look at all of their bio's. They are all O'Leary clones. The guys believes in punishment to the first degree and he would do it again. Two kids, one dies and the other has kidney failure, both claims state lack of water. U.C.F= The University of Coaching Failures. O'leary is will always be a loser post Kevin Smith!

He's a snake for wanting to take care of the families of the men that work for him? O'leary has commented in the past that he doesn't like out-right letting his coaches go because it is a major hardship on the family, just as it would be if you lost your job for things that are not 100 percent in your control. In the case of Tim Salem, a demotion was appropriate. In the case of Joe Gilbert, he did something that 100% warranted a firing, and O'leary did so.

That sounds completely the OPPOSITE of what a cold-hearted snake would do.

[Jay]

Do not be Fooled wrote:

O'Leary is a snake. He doesn't fire the guys that don't produce on his coaching staff, instead demotes them. He keeps those that he knows will yes sir him. Take a look at all of their bio's. They are all O'Leary clones. The guys believes in punishment to the first degree and he would do it again. Two kids, one dies and the other has kidney failure, both claims state lack of water. U.C.F= The University of Coaching Failures. O'leary is will always be a loser post Kevin Smith!

And by the way, Brandon Davis is the player that suffered kidney failure, and guess what? He is back in school and returning to play football for George O'leary next year. Do you think honestly think that would be the case if your LIES were truth?

[Pathetic]

Football Fan wrote:

THis is truly a tragic situation. What the reporter didn't realize is that the family faces a real uphill battle. State law limits the amount of damages the family can receive. Anything above that level requires approval from the legislature, which isn't exactly flush with cash these days. The entire process could take years.

Last I checked, the UCF Athletic Association (whom they are sueing) is not the university. Part of the brilliant set up to get all these nice new athletic facilities was to limit the schools liability and create a new entity. Hopefully they took out one hell of an insurance policy. So I'm not sure that would need approval from the state. In any case though, they are going to get more money than this deserves because the boy could have just said "no".

[Central Position]

Good Luck to this coaching staff. I know for a fact that none of them should fall victim to the ambushing that may take place. All of them are very devoted coaches that love their families and are coaching in a positive way. This staff has some of the most devoted coaches that care about more than just football. I wish them the best and know that they look out for others. Don't throw the towel in on them. They don't deserve it, if you blame Coach O'Leary than blame him. But don't blame the other guys!

[Bianchi]

Wow, that arsehat Mike Bianchi must have creamed over this!

What an opportunity for the hack!

[bug light lover]

honestly, at first i was all like " oh dont sue them, it was an accident."

but then i read that he has sickel cell and the coach and school knew it.

the coach is at faul for knowing of a geneic trait that could cause severe reactions and he should have let him rest.

throw him in the slammer i say, he was negligent

[DriveBy Poster]

Alan Schmadtke wrote:

Decided to jump in after reading some of the comments above and wanted to set the record straight.
Often on a breaking story we re-cast a story. We get new information or better information and update the story. As part of that, we actually create a new story....
Alan Schmadtke
Deputy Online Editor
OrlandoSentinel.com

Nice touch, but your more astute and reasonable readers already knew this, and the less astute, less reasonable readers won't understand it or won't believe it. Certainly you realize how eager so many people are to pile onto the Sentinel for their own ridiculous biases, and no information to the contrary will dissuade them.(I know you can't insult your readers by agreeing, so we'll let this pass...)

[Brian Patrick Clarke]

Alan Schmadtke wrote:

Decided to jump in after reading some of the comments above and wanted to set the record straight.
Often on a breaking story we re-cast a story. We get new information or better information and update the story. As part of that, we actually create a new story. And when we do that, the message board on that old story -- Topix comment board -- doesn't follow and connect to the bottom of the newer story.
It's unfortunate, but it's true. We're looking at a solution to an issue that happens from time to time.
In this case, the comments (and comment board) were not removed because of any content.(Or any rips on the Sentinel or OS.com . We're happy to provide the forum for any opinion that's not personal to the reporter, degrading to others on the board, etc.)
Just wanted to set the record straight.
Alan Schmadtke
Deputy Online Editor
OrlandoSentinel.com

Thanks for the explanation/clarification, Alan. BPC