A former South Bend, Ind. high school freshman footbal player sustained serious injuries after his coach turned him into a tackling dummy during practice. On September 10, 2009, John Adams High School (“Adams”) suffered an embarrassing defeat against rival Clay High School. After the bus ride back to Adams, coach Vince DeDario called for a post-game practice because of the team’s poor physical performance. At practice, Coach DeDario forced freshman Keemo Richardson to stand still while other players “were instructed to ‘break his legs’ by using him as a ‘tackling dummy.’” After repeatedly being tackled at full speed, Richardson sustained a right calf injury and a dislocated shoulder, not to mention physical and emotional pain.
As a result of Richardson’s injuries, he could not play football anymore and was unable to play his preferred sport of wrestling. Because settlement negotiations were futile, on August 20, 2012 Richardson filed an assault/battery and negligence suit in Indiana’s St. Joseph Circuit/Superior Court against the school, principal, athletic director, and football coaches seeking monetary damages.
Richardson’s seven page complaint can be read HERE.
