Firm sued in death of BGSU player

9/15/2006

SANDUSKY - The mother of a Bowling Green football player who died after becoming ill at practice two years ago has filed a lawsuit against a sports supplement supplier.

The lawsuit filed last week in Erie County Common Pleas Court said Aaron Richardson became dehydrated from the Creatine Burst he was drinking, triggering a sickle cell trait reaction in Mr. Richardson.

Mr. Richardson, 18, died in 2004 of hemoglobinopathy associated with sickle cell, a coroner ruled. The condition prevents blood cells from carrying enough oxygen to the body.

The lawsuit said General Nutrition Centers, which markets Creatine Burst, should have told users it can cause dehydration. Spokesman Benjamin Pratt said the company has not seen the lawsuit and could not comment.

The day he died, Mr. Richardson had run half-speed sprints for 10 minutes and complained of calf cramps. He went to the locker room with an assistant coach and later became unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at Wood County Hospital.