I have to really wonder that a story about a young black student athlete who dies on the practice field has not got a response from Earl Austin Jr., the only sportswriter in black St. Louis who has a responsibility to the community. I could see Morris Henderson turning over in his grave with the response from the Black Press on this issue.
How can a student go to state school for football, and they cannot monitor a football practice properly? This kid was having problems from the time he took the field. The players knew it. Players know when a teammate is in trouble. But you got a strength coach, and all he had to do was call the paramedics. And he stands in front of the kid with his hands crossed and says there is nothing he can do. He needs to be fired, now.
Come on, Earl Austin. Get some guts. Handle the hard story. Don’t be all right with everything. Don’t turn your back and talk about basketball. I have a daughter that goes to Mizzou, and the Post is the only one putting pressure on this.
Jerry A. Kirkwood
Los Angeles