14Sep/080
Third & Short
HOUSTON -- The family of a Rice football player who died during practice two years ago filed a wrongful death lawsuit Tuesday against the school, former coach Todd Graham, the NCAA and others.
Dale Lloyd II died a day after he collapsed during a conditioning workout Sept. 24, 2006. The 19-year-old freshman's death was linked to sickle-cell trait and created the basis for the lawsuit filed by Houston attorney Mark Lanier in state district court in Harris County.
"Skin color and flagrant ignorance tragically killed" Lloyd, said the lawsuit, which was first reported by Houston television station KRIV. "A simple blood test could have saved Dale. Instead, Dale's African-American heritage was tossed aside and a family is forever without a son."