ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan signed a bill into law Tuesday that improve player safety for college athletes following the death of University of Maryland player Jordan McNair.
McNair collapsed during an outdoor conditioning practice held by the team on May 29, 2018. The 19-year-old was treated at the team training complex before being transported to the hospital, where he died two weeks later, on June 13.
"This is a joyest day for us" said Marty McNair, father of Jordan McNair. "The work that we have done since Jordan's passing has really been extremely impactful."
The Jordan McNair Safe and Fair Play Act will introduce greater health and safety measures for college athletes. We didn't want to let grief consume us negatively and for me personally, all of my grief really went into the work of the foundation" said McNair. It would also allow those athletes to get paid for their name, image and likeness, something the NCAA has long disputed, but has been taking steps to change over the last few years. California was the first to sign a bill into law that would allow athletes to profit from endorsements in 2019.
The NCAA announced last year that its Board of Governors supported a plan that gives athletes the ability to cash in on their names, images and likenesses as never before and without involvement from the association, schools or conferences.
The health and safety precautions detailed in the bill will take effect July 1, 2021, and the name, image and likeness component will take effect on July 1, 2023.
On June 5th, The Jordan McNair Foundation will have a Health & Wellness Clinic honoring the late Jordan McNair. The event will take place at McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland from 8am to 4:30pm. The Jordan McNair Foundation’s goal is to diminish the number of heat-related deaths that occur in student-athletes. The foundation also sponsors programs aimed at community involvement and engagement. The first half of the day is dedicated to ages 7-12, while the last half of the day will focus on students ages 13-18. A registration page is available on the Foundation’s website. The cost for this event is $20 per child and parents may attend sessions for free.
