Medical staff at Tech signed affidavits

Texas Tech offcials released a sworn affidavit signed by the team physician, Dr. Michael Phy, and it indicated that he did not instruct anyone to put inside receiver Adam James in an enclosed dark space to help with his mild concussion.

Here's the meat and potatoes of Dr. Phy's sworn affidavit:

"On the morning of Dec. 17, 2009, I treated a member of the Texas Tech football named Adam James ("James"). James reported to me that late in practice the previous night he had suffered an injury to his neck and head. He recounted symptoms to me which were consistent with a concussion. James further reported that he had an episode of vomiting the night before. He stated that while he still had a headache, it was a little better than it had been the night before. He also reported feeling off balance and dizzy.

"I performed a physical examination on James and gave him a diagnostic test for athletes used to determine whether they have a concussion. Based on James' medical history, my medication on him, and the diagnostic test performed, it is my medical opinion that James had suffered at least a mild concussion. I informed James as well as the trainer, Steve Pincock, that James should not practice and should not take part in any activities. His symptoms would be re-eveluated over a seven-day period. I told Pincock that James would be out for the remaining practices.

"I did not instruct anyone with Texas Tech to place James in an enclosed and dark space, and in my medical opinion there was no medical reason to require James to stand in an enclosed dark space for up to three hours. In spite of the fact that James may not have been harmed by these actions, I consider this practice inappropiate, and a deviation from the medical standard of care.''

Tech head trainer Steve Pincock also signed a sworn affidavit about the James case. Pincock's affidavit read:

'In the afternoon of December 17, we had practice on the practice field. I was on the field at the time that James showed up for practice. Injured players are placed in an area of the field referred to as "muscle beach'' to participate in activities that are consisent with their respective injuries. James arrived for pratice wearing street clothes, his cap on backwards, and sunglasses and began walking around the field in a very nonchalant way. He was not wearing the standard jersey and cleats or workout gear expected of all players during practice, including injured players.

"When head coach Mike Leach ("Leach") saw James on the field, he called me over to him on the field and asked what was James doing. I was approximately 40 yards away. I told him that James had sustained a concussion and was walking the field, which was standard for players with a concussion.

"Leach was upset and concerned about James' appearance and attitude. Leach said he did not want him loafing while the players were working. Leach told me to place James in a dark place near the practice field. Leach further said something to the effect that he wanted me to tell James that I was to "lock his (expletive delete) in a place so dark that the only way he knows he has a  (expletive delete) is to reach down and touch it,'' which I repeated to James. Leach further told me to have him stand in the dark during the entire practice.He did not want James on the field, and he did not want James in the training facility. He did not want to see James. He wanted James to be uncomfortable. He did not want him showing poor effort.

"I took James and Jordan (an undergraduate student athletic trainer) to the sports medicine/athletic training shed near the field. At the time, all coolers or water containers were removed from the building so James could not sit on them.  Leach ordered me to place James in the dark, enclosed area where he could not sit or lay down. The shed is a portable building that is used to store items like coolers and other equipment, which are used for practice. It is approximately the size of a single car garage. It has an overhead type garage door. It does not have windows. After repeating Leach's words, I told James that he was to stand in the dark for the entire practice. He was not supposed to sit down. I told him I would get him out when practice was over, and I shut the door. When I went to check on James after approximately 30 minutes, Jordan told me he had checked on James and found him on the floor. Leach had also instructed me to have a student trainer sit outside the shed to make sure he was standing and that he did not leave. I told Leach where I had placed James, and he was fine with it.

"Once practice, which lasted for approximately 2-3 hours, was over I removed James from the shed. I told James I was sorry for having to place him in a dark shed but that these were Leach's instructions. I do not agree with this form of treatment for anyone, and I discussed this with James. . .

"On December 19, 2009 we had practice at the stadium field. James came to practice but was still not allowed to participate due to his injury. He was dressed in appropiate attire. Leach again asked me to place James in the same shed he was in during the last practice. I was standing in the stadium next to Leach and Zane Perry. Perry mentioned using the media interview room. I located James and Jordan and wlaked to that room. I noticed an electrical closet in the room, and walked inside. I commented on the noise in the room and told him not to go in that room. All chairs and items that might be used for sitting were removed form the room, with the exception of two large tractor tires, and the student trainer was placed outside the room to check on James and to ensure James was following instructions to stand in the dark and that he did not leave. The media room was very dark and cold. Leach was aware where I placed him and was fine with it. . .

"I am not aware of any other football player at Texas Tech University ever being placed in a darken shed or room similar to James. Other players who have sustained concussions in the past were sometimes placed in the physician's examination room with the lights dimmed, or in the weight room or athletic training room. I feel that Leach's treatment of James was inappropiate, and I did not agree with it. However, I had to follow the instructions of the head coach.''

_ Dwain Price

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Comments

[alex]

it called "job security".........they are trying to save their job, so the story keeps changing accordingly.

[TexasTechRules]

Their story does keep changing. This will end up in the courts unless Texas Tech agrees to pay Mike Leach the money he has coming and issues a retraction of the things they have said.

[Raider Justice]

These statements do not refute Leach's comments. See the following discussion.

http://www.doubletnation.com/2010/1/3/1231471/espn-is-wrong-in-its

The statements are inconsistent and actually corroborate Mike Leach's statement that he did not place the player in an enclosed facility. As the trainer's comments clearly state, it was the trainer himself - not Leach - who elected where to put the player.

[Dawn]

It's really funny that the "signed affidavit" from Price is completely opposite of what he told the media before.

[Freddie Grimsley]

I wonder how much Texas Tech paid the trainer to change his story. I hope Leach sues Texas Tech for 30 million Dollars and get it.

[BethG]

Raider Fans,

We - all of us - have a bad reputation as sport fans. This has not always been the case with Tech sports.

It is time to examine our own conduct as a fan base rather than just the conduct of our athletic staff and players.

[Harold]

I wonder if Tech prepared these "affidavits" like they prepared the apology letter for Leach? Of course they signed them, they wanted to keep their jobs.

You don't disagree with Hance or the 5'2" Gerald Myers and keep your job.

[alex]

of course "they" altered their statements....."they" want to keep their jobs!

[alex]

RED-RAIDER NATION UNITE......and stop sending money to TTU until Chancellor Hance, the Athletic Director, and others RESIGN.

[Southlake resident and lifelong Texan]

It's funny how when people understand that swearing out a false affidavit is a crime (felony false swearing), that they tend to tell the TRUTH, and when they talk to reporters, they tend to say whatever they think they should. The testimony in the doctor's affidavit and the trainer's affidavit are more than enough to support Tech's firing of Leach for cause. Irrespective of whether he likes or dislikes Adam James, the fact remains that Leach demonstrated once again his childish lack of self-control and actually punished a player for being injured. If anyone thinks Leach is such a great coach, wait and see who ends up hiring him (that would be, ahem, nobody of note.....then again St. Peter Canisius might be looking for an offensive coordinator)

[Florida Frog Fan]

I read a quote from a TT football player (can't remember his name) but he said he felt Leach thought he had become bigger than the university or the football team. That is my evaluation as well. With his ego and making $12M he though he could do anything he wanted and no one would question him. Just like a lot of politicians who get obssesed with their power. I said it before, I'll say it again, I hope the leach finds a job in a dark damp place like a sewer. I'm glad TCU has a class act as a coach. Maybe with the leach gone TT won't be afraid to play the FROGS.

[Former Tech fan]

I think that everyone on these boards are jumping to foregone conclusions. I think that it's safe to say none of you were around when this went down. I personally feel that the AD had an axe to grind, and this is the outcome. Whatever the case, it's safe to say that James will be villified if things are found different than his version of the story, and his whiner dad, Craig, well...enough said. All I can say is that I hope Tech has a large bank account, 'cause they're going to need it.

[Sharice A. Adams]

Coach Leach is a "straight shooter" and doesn't play the political games which thrive in the environment of State employment.I know this from personal experience having been employed by the State for 10 yrs.
There is much, much more to this situation.
I graduated from Tech and "I Bleed Red and Black".I want to see Hance and Myers fired as well as all the actors who have and are participants in this nightmare.They have brought Tech down to the level I never wanted to believe possible.These people remind me of sewer rats.
Coach Leach's firing and the underhanded manner in which it was done is an embarrassment to TTU.
Coach Leach was the best coach we have ever had. He brought pride and alot of money to the university.Tech will suffer in many ways from the Admin. actions.
Coach Leach--welcome to the group of us who are former State employees!!!!!!!!
TTURRLVR

[GATOR57]

What pi__es me off is the fact that both Pincock and Phy retracted their earlier statements WHY?? Both of you are talking out the both sides of your mouths. Someone is not being truthful concerning Mike Leach. Did the Administration people at TTU get to you?

[The Voice]

There was a rumor being reported on ESPN today that stated Mike Leach might
be headed to the Raiders. Would that not be a perfect fit or what? First of all you would have a coach who thinks he's the 2nd coming of
Captain Blackbeard joining the Raiders crew. Secondly he would be playing for an owner that's as much in touch with reality as Peter Pan. And best of all he would be working for or replacing a coach that punched his assistant in the face and broke his jaw.
I can see it now. Cable punches Leach in the face who in turn challenges him to a swordfight. But Al Davis steps in, fires them both, then interviews Mark Mangino and Jim Leavitt.