Family of Former Rebels’ Player Sues Mississippi University

The family of a former Mississippi football player has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the university, coach Houston Nutt and the NCAA.

Bennie Abram was 20 years old when he collapsed during the first day of formal offseason workouts on Feb. 19, 2010, and later died at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Oxford, Miss. An autopsy revealed Abram died from complications associated with sickle cell trait.

Ole Miss was aware Abram had sickle cell trait, which is usually asymptomatic, but can occasionally trigger severe problems after strenuous exercise. The university has previously said all of its employees acted properly.

The NCAA made sickle cell trait testing mandatory for all Division I athletes last year, though carrying the trait does not prevent an athlete from playing sports.