Teacher on leave after athletes suffer blisters and third-degree burns in weightlifting class

LANCASTER, SC (WBTV/Gray News) – A teacher is on leave after forcing football players to perform drills on a hot turf field, causing blisters and third-degree burns, according to an incident report.

Football players at Buford High School in South Carolina told investigators they were punished for making cat sounds while preparing for their weightlifting class. As a form of punishment, the teacher allegedly took them outside onto the grass football field and made them do bear and crab walks.

The players told the teacher that the turf burned their hands, but the teacher allegedly told them to keep “toughening up those soft hands,” according to the incident report.

Class was about to end and the high temperature that day reached 93 degrees. The temperature of the grass fields is about 20 degrees higher than the air, according to the incident report.

After completing the exercises, some players said they asked the instructor if they could wrap their hands before lifting weights and playing soccer. Some players interviewed by officials said they were denied their request, though others said they were able to wrap their injured hands.

Photos of the players’ hands show they were blistered. At least one player suffered injuries severe enough that a doctor declared the wounds “third-degree burns,” according to the incident report.

The next day, at least two players were unable to participate in a practice match due to hand injuries.

After the sheriff’s office spoke with the players, parents, school principal and teacher.

During an interview, the teacher said he had the players do drills on the turf field, but he didn’t know how hot the field could get. He told investigators he didn’t see the players’ hands. He also said he’s not a coach and his only responsibility to the football team is “to get the players in shape.” The incident report added that he “seemed remorseful.”

Investigators determined that the teacher would not be charged and that the incident “should be a matter for the school to handle.”

On Tuesday, the Lancaster County School District confirmed that the teacher had been placed on paid administrative leave.

The incident is still under investigation, according to a school district spokesperson.

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