Former Oregon Lineman’s Injury a Failure of Leadership

It’s hard to see former Oregon Ducks football players and coaches seated in a courtroom. There is a stark difference between the electric greens and yellows of Autzen Stadium roaring with glee at full capacity and the hushed, drab, beige-colored rooms of the Lane County Courthouse. For most folks, this is not a happy place. They don’t sell nachos in the lobby.

But perhaps the dated wood trim and moldings are the perfect decor for Lady Justice. No distractions, no cheer squad, no mascot riding a motorcycle to midfield. Just a pursuit of the truth.

Several years after Willie Taggart skedaddled from Eugene to Tallahassee like a crooked vacuum cleaner salesman, former Oregon offensive lineman Doug Brenner has filed multi-million lawsuit against the University of Oregon, NCAA, Taggart and his strength and conditioning coach Irele Oderinde for a training regimen on the first day of conditioning in 2017.

As a result of a workout consisting of “hundreds of pushups and up-downs without rest” without water, Brenner, who played right guard and center for the Ducks, along with offensive lineman Samuelu Poutasi and tight end Cam McCormick, was diagnosed with a potentially fatal rhabdomyolysis, or rhabdo, a condition where “damaged muscle tissue releases its proteins and electrolytes into the blood.” Brenner is seeking $125.5 million for both punitive damages and pain and suffering.

Doug Brenner has filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit over a workout regimen that resulted in a life-threatening rhabdomyolysis diagnosis.

I can’t imagine how this experience has permanently altered Brenner’s life, most notably destroying any dream he had of playing in the NFL, regardless of how realistic his chances were. Brenner played 41 games over four seasons, earning first and second team All Pac-12 Academic honors and honorable mentions in his final two seasons.

While NFL scouts and Brenner’s teammates differ on his ability to play at the professional level, I guess we’ll never know. And that’s the point. So, who’s to blame? I don’t think Taggart did anything to intentionally hurt any of his players. While I don’t care for his personality, Taggart isn’t a supervillain.

But Slick Willie has demonstrated questionable judgment and still manages to get under my skin. When asked about the workout in court, Taggart said the Ducks “didn’t get it as fast as other teams,” suggesting they couldn’t handle the intensity of the training. But in the very next breath, he admits, “That was the first time we ever went that long (with pushups and up-downs), and it was a mistake.” Huh?

Of course, the college and NCAA are responsible for making sure every student-athlete — each of whom entrust their livelihood into the hands of well-paid coaches and trainers — is provided with the utmost care. In my view, there is no way they escape at least some measure of culpability in this case.

For me, the blame largely falls on Oderinde, who was fired last week after two years as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the University of South Florida women’s basketball program. Since Taggart was absent from the workout (Really?), Oderinde was responsible for the immediate care of these young men and he failed them. Miserably. And for hiring and trusting Oderinde, Taggart is solely to blame.

According to The Register Guard, Oderinde, who followed Taggart to Florida State in 2018, testified last week the exercises were intended as warm-ups and “to build a team, help guys bond and instill discipline.” Okay. But what kind of physical trainer doesn’t let athletes drink water? Perhaps, as Brenner alleged in his complaint, a trainer without required certification?

If these allegations are true, Oderinde shouldn’t be permitted anywhere near aspiring athletes again. Ever. And as for Brenner, I hope he finds some semblance of happiness from the wreckage of a broken dream.

Jordan Ingram
San Diego, California
Top photo by Craig Strobeck

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Jordan Ingram

Jordan is a lifelong Duck fan currently living in San Diego. Jordan graduated from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, after serving a prestigious fellowship with the Washington State House of Representatives. Upon graduation, he worked as an English language teaching assistant for the Spanish Ministry of Education’s Ambassadorial Program in Monforte de Lemos, Spain. Jordan has worked as a journalist, writer, and editor in Oregon, Washington, Montana, and California, covering a wide range of topics, including sports, local politics, and crime. He is VERY excited to be writing about his beloved Oregon Ducks.

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Former Oregon Lineman’s Injury a Failure of Leadership

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