Former players' testimony about Franklin

[Art]

In the complaint, it says that the applicable medical services agreement had a "Termination without cause" limitation. Of course, if I'm wrong, Norm will be the first to let everyone know.

No, I'll be the first and you are correct. But there is a big "but" in that it's not entirely clear what it means.

The medical services agreement is between PSU and Milton Hershey. Since we can't see it, it's not clear how Lynch is woven into it, or even if he is specifically.

Keep in mind that Lynch was on the staff of Milton Hershey since the middle of 1997, some 16 years before he was assigned to ICA and the football program. Further there is a document in the court filing (page 47) than indicates he spends about half his time on ICA.

At this point, there is no reason to believe that Lynch is unemployed i.e. that he is without a job, or has seen his compensation diminished.

 

[sluggo72]

LOL a friend of mine played DT in the Canadian football league , he said his shoulder is all messed up, and a bunch of guys are sitting in the training room before the game. The HC and the team Doc come in, the HC points at him and a few other guys, and yells at the Doc, 'He plays, he plays and he plays'. Doc then takes him back into a room, and according to my friend, pulls out a needle about 2 foot long, and injects his shoulder. Said it felt good after that, and he said he played pretty well!!

 

[PearlSUJam]

https://www.nata.org/press-release/...ts-programs-follow-medical-model-care-student

Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Results suggest a need for collegiate athletic programs to evaluate existing model of care to ensure student athlete safety

LAS VEGAS, NV – A new survey of college and university athletic trainers shows that 51.73% of their collegiate-level sports programs follow the NCAA-legislated independent medical model of care. In addition, 76.26% of respondents feel they have medical autonomy – the unchallengeable authority to determine medical management of athletes. The survey was conducted by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s (NATA) Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine (ICSM). Results were presented at a press briefing today during NATA’s 70th Clinical Symposia in Las Vegas.

The NCAA legislation for student athletes is a model that ensures independent medical care by giving primary athletic health care providers – defined as team physicians and athletic trainers (ATs) – the autonomous authority to make decisions related to the health and safety of athletes without the influences of the athletic department, including coaches and other personnel. Autonomous authority is the cornerstone for independent medical care for student athletes.

The survey also shows that more than one-third (36.32%) reported a coach influences the hiring or firing of sports medicine staff. A subset of this group (29.95%), responded to a question subset directly related to receiving pressure from non-medical personnel on medical decisions. Of this subset, which represents 17.37% of the total survey response, almost three out of five collegiate athletic trainers (57.81%) reported receiving pressure from an administrator, coach or member of the coaching staff to make a decision that was not in the best interest of a student athlete’s health. Of the 57.81% who reported receiving pressure, approximately the same percentage (58.65%) reported receiving pressure at least once a month; almost one in 10 (9.94%) reported receiving pressure at least once a week; more than one-quarter (28.85%) reported receiving pressure at least twice a month; and 2.56% reported receiving pressure daily.

“It is absolutely appropriate and expected for coaches as well as other relevant athletic personnel to ask questions. What is not acceptable is when the inquiry is laced with an expectation to influence, dictate, coerce or challenge the athletic trainer’s autonomous authority to make medical decisions in the sole interest of student athlete health and wellbeing,” said NATA President Tory Lindley, MA, ATC.

“While we believe that the pendulum is shifting in a positive direction, there is certainly more work to be done. NATA’s goal is to continue to advocate for and support NCAA delivery of care legislation. Student athletes and their parents should feel confident that decisions about health and safety are based solely on medical information and judgment and are not influenced by personnel who are not trained and experienced in that area,” Lindley added.

The results suggest that institutions evaluate their administrative structure to ensure the institutional line of medical authority is established according to NCAA’s Independent Medical Care for College Student-Athletesinter-association consensus statement and without influence.

“The survey indicates that there is also a need for programs to structurally and functionally infuse the independent medical model of care into their culture so that it remains, even if there are changes in leadership and/or staff,” said ICSM Chair Murphy Grant, MS, ATC, PES.

Additional Survey Findings

• 29.98% reported that medical autonomy is affected by sport assignment, meaning some sports may allow more independent medical decision-making than others
• 18.73% reported a coach playing an athlete who had been deemed medically ineligible for participation
• 49.41% reported having no formal document that describes the model adopted by the school

The survey was distributed via email to 9,223 athletic trainers who identify as working in the collegiate setting. A total of 1,796 responded, of which 1,419 completed all questions. The response rate (based on overall total response 1,796) was 19.47%. Forty-three percent of the respondents identified as working in Division I sports. The non-scientific survey was administered to evaluate the adoption and execution of the independent medical model of care.

To support the adoption and infusion of the NCAA’s independent medical model of care, NATA has conducted several regional lecture series and published member resources to help evaluate adherence and support transition to the independent medical model of care. Visit www.nata.org for more information.

About NATA: National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) – Health Care for Life & Sport

Athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and sport-related illnesses. They prevent and treat chronic musculoskeletal injuries from sports, physical and occupational activity and provide immediate care for acute injuries. Athletic trainers offer a continuum of care that is unparalleled in health care. The National Athletic Trainers' Association represents and supports 45,000 members of the athletic training profession. For more information, visit www.nata.org.

NATA Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine (ICSM) is comprised of representatives from all levels of NCAA sports, as well as NAIA and two-year institutions. The NATA board of directors established ICSM to identify relevant, timely issues in the field of athletic training and collaborate with various organizing bodies of collegiate athletics to improve student athlete safety, wellbeing and healthcare by influencing policy and providing resources.

 

[PSU_Chicago]

.... Have it on reasonably good authority that there was nothing she could do to contain this other than letting Lynch keep his job with ICA. Can't say whether it had reached a point where that was no longer an option.

At some point there must have been a time where you just tell him "this is how this is going to work and you must comply with the ICA process we have set out". That typically works at my Company ....

 

[sluggo72]

I think the record speaks for itself. CJF has held key players out for longer than any coach I know. He has kept key players out in key games against the wishes of the player. He also has protected the privacy of injured players from the press like a junkyard dog. Can't wait to see this ply out.

has CJF held them out or has CJF been the good soldier and taken the PR hit for the Doc who hasnt cleared them to play? I am with CJF on this, and think the Doc is a little weasel. That said, I highly doubt if the Doc cleared someone to play that CJF would go to the player and tell him, the he (CJF) felt like he needed another week, and therefore was not playing.

 

[Art]

At some point there must have been a time where you just tell him "this is how this is going to work and you must comply with the ICA process we have set out". That typically works at my Company ....

At my company, it's the first time you bitch to someone else. Do it a second time and you're gone. We've never had a problem.

 

[CoastGuard2018]

“Nothing burger” has to be the most annoying phrase I hear (or read) used on a somewhat regular basis.

No worse than “He gone”

 

[Art]

I have it on NO authority , aside from just personal thought - after reading the complaint etc, - that what you said here is (highly) likely true.... circa 2018/19.

My "concern" (for lack of a better word) is what Babs did to manage the situation over the last 4 years. It is over those 4 years - IMO - that this thing festered to the point that there was likely no real good outcome in 2019
(Though surely she further aggravated the situation - and put PSU ICA into a jackpot - if She, and the lovely Charmell, went to Black and demanded Lynch's replacement.... as was alleged in the filing).

And I think I could guess exactly what she (didn't) do over those prior four years - with the VERY high likelihood of being correct.
Probably, among other things, devoted about 1/100th of the time and energy to this situation, than she did to redecorating her offices.
And that whatever time she - or her designee - spent on the matter had more of a negative than a positive impact.

That's just based on the histories of the folks involved, obviously.
But I'd wager the mortgage money on those two postulations.

Can't put together a time line with who and when Lynch took his complaints, so I can't say that Barbour screwed this up.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

has CJF held them out or has CJF been the good soldier and taken the PR hit for the Doc who hasnt cleared them to play? I am with CJF on this, and think the Doc is a little weasel. That said, I highly doubt if the Doc cleared someone to play that CJF would go to the player and tell him, the he (CJF) felt like he needed another week, and therefore was not playing.

It is likely, that is the case most of the time....

 

[Shadow99]

I think the record speaks for itself. CJF has held key players out for longer than any coach I know. He has kept key players out in key games against the wishes of the player. He also has protected the privacy of injured players from the press like a junkyard dog. Can't wait to see this ply out.

Admittedly much paraphrasing here, but:
Ironic that not long ago a local highly-rated WR recruit (who recently committed elsewhere) noted dissatisfaction with the perceived lack of 2018 playing time for another highly-rated WR who is currently on the PSU roster...a perception seemingly resulting from being extremely cautious with an injury.

 

[Shadow99]

receiving pressure from non-medical personnel on medical decisions.

"Non-medical personnel" including student athletes?

• 18.73% reported a coach playing an athlete who had been deemed medically ineligible for participation

Why? Except in rare instances, not sure how that would actually help a team.

 

[Texas Lion]

I wonder if you could look back over the Franklin time and see who was ever talked about as, man we need that guy back really, really fast!

The injuries I remember to players that made an impact were the ones of Reid and Torrance Brown. But those were knees and obvious being "out of action".

The only one I can really remember was Cabinda and his thumb. He was really missed when he was out.

Any others that come to mind?

 

[Art]

I hear ya'...… but isn't that Babs' (and her entourage's) job to keep their fingers on the pulse of what is going on wrt important aspects of her departments #1 program? BEFORE they step into a shit storm?
Did she never have sit downs w CJF and/or Lynch over the years.... where she woulda' become aware that there were some issues that needed to be dealt with?

Maybe she didn't - I don't know. But if she didn't, in the wisdomy words of the Whitehall Wizard,

"That's on her".

Good point. Barbour obviously talks to Franklin on a regular basis. If he doesn't bring up any issues with medical services I doubt she asks.

Medical services is Green's bailiwick. If she wasn't talking to Lynch on a regular, and to a certain extent scripted, basis, then we have a problem, which percolates up to Barbour.

 

[flash86]

Professionals in all fields, all companies discuss and disagree but can still move forward. The demands specified in the complaint don't reflect a team mentality (and by team I don't mean "football team," or "do whatever coach says!"). Remember, "real boats rock!"

If you are part of the ICA team, you are part of the ICA team. As a team doctor for ICA, or director of medicine for ICA or whatever title, your role requires you to work within ICA. And if you don't want to fulfill your role in the team - in this case talking with the coach(es), providing medical advice, AND still having the final authority anyway - including encountering discussion/disagreement, then don't be a part of it.

I still can't get over how much this echoes of Triponey.

...

Lynch’s recommendations give some insight into the conflict. He pretty much wants no contact with coaches other than a once a week or once a month meeting. The rest of the time he apparently wants to use a trainer as a gopher to pass messages. I think that’s a recipe for miscommunication and frustration in getting questions answered.

When he says a coach can’t ever call a physician to discuss injuries, can’t step into the training room, and can’t talk to a player “positively or negatively” about an injury his expectations are a little too draconian IMO.

It makes me wonder if any personality clashes and/or different perception issues snowballed over time and played into this mess.

 

[TheGLOV]

Nothing out of the ordinary in my case. Doctor made a decision to put me on medication after two readings, neither of which she could be bothered to disclose to me. She put me on medication despite my telling her that I had no history of high blood pressure, including a very good reading taken in my PCP's office less than two weeks prior. When I asked her about the side effects of the medication, something I always do, she dismissed the question out of hand.

Unfortunately, unlike your Dad I experienced a serious allergic reaction that persisted well beyond the time I stopped taking the medication.

My PCP called the cardiologist to discuss my case and was not pleased with her response. All he said when I asked him about it was, "Needless to say I won't be sending anymore of my patients to her."

Since then, without the benefit of medication, my BP has been rock-solid normal. To this day, when my PCP sees the readings he just shakes his head and smiles.

Glad to hear you are well and doing fine sir!

Let's raise a glass to a very good PSU football season!

Salute!

 

[Shiniquiet]

this has zero to do with the coach, and everything to do with the Doc. You dont seem to understand that 2 different Doc's can look at a kid and come to two different conclusion with the same injury. I've witnessed that. And that can make a big difference in your season. Doctoring isnt always absolute.

That's why it's called the "practice" of medicine.

 

[Art]

Glad to hear you are well and doing fine sir!

Let's raise a glass to a very good PSU football season!

Salute!

Thank you kindly, Unfortunately, I'm told that the side-effects from the medication may never go away, and they do pop-up from time to time. Fortunately, they are nowhere near as deleterious as they were, so I deal with them the same way I do a runny nose.

 

[LoyalandTrueLion]

I wonder where PSU stands against its Peer Group (B1G and Top 20 Programs) with respect to this entire Lynch allegation / debacle?

In my opinion and I only have knowledge of two other Division 1 schools on this. In terms of the football aspect of this are athletes are taken care of just fine and discourse between doctors and coaches is just fine.

In terms of how the athletic department and ICA handled it. We are a tire fire

 

[marshall23]

The doctor didn't resign and then make public his reasons for doing so. He was fired and then decided that the coach had "bullied him." Some whistle blower.
I ask again....what pressure could James Franklin exert on the team physician? Did he put ben gay in his jockey shorts?

 

[mgkpsu]

So....... I guess you didn’t bother to read the documents either?

Why not?

Fiddlesticks! 15 out of 200+ players Twatted that they had a different experience, or no experience whatsoever. A few helicopter Moms also got in on that action. I know because grown men spent several days posting about it on the internets in real time.

There's no possible way that any of the 30+ transfers from the past few years might be able to corroborate via deposition later. And discovery has never turned up a single shred of evidence which was usuable incourt.

 

[81b&w]

Fiddlesticks! 15 out of 200+ players Twatted that they had a different experience, or no experience whatsoever. A few helicopter Moms also got in on that action. I know because grown men spent several days posting about it on the internets in real time.

There's no possible way that any of the 30+ transfers from the past few years might be able to corroborate via deposition later. And discovery has never turned up a single shred of evidence which was usuable incourt.

What college team do you root for?

 

[mgkpsu]

What college team do you root for?

What college did you attend?

Yes, shame on me for advocating for a clean program, and letting the legal process play out, instead of blindly bashing a respected physician with no known blemishes over the past 5 years...

If this were Ohio State , or really any other school...

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

What college did you attend?

Yes, shame on me for advocating for a clean program, and letting the legal process play out, instead of blindly bashing a respected physician with no known blemishes over the past 5 years...

If this were Ohio State , or really any other school...

Do you have a personal relationship with this Dr? Tell us more.

 

[manatree]

“Nothing burger” has to be the most annoying phrase I hear (or read) used on a somewhat regular basis.

Personally, I'm partial to Nothing Falafel.

 

[Madsol]

Do you have a personal relationship with this Dr? Tell us more.

Doubtful. He just hates Franklin that much. Defending the doctor is just a means to an end for him.

 

[mgkpsu]

Doubtful. He just hates Franklin that much. Defending the doctor is just a means to an end for him.

There's lots of additional stops between "Hates Franklin" and "would spend $ on the internet for a vial of his grundle sweat".

 

[marshall23]

Doubtful. He just hates Franklin that much. Defending the doctor is just a means to an end for him.

Every group has a Judas Joyner.

 

[LurkerLazarus]

In before someone plays the race card.

 

[RGWhirly]

Fiddlesticks! 15 out of 200+ players Twatted that they had a different experience, or no experience whatsoever. A few helicopter Moms also got in on that action. I know because grown men spent several days posting about it on the internets in real time.

There's no possible way that any of the 30+ transfers from the past few years might be able to corroborate via deposition later. And discovery has never turned up a single shred of evidence which was usuable incourt.

You said, twat.

 

[Kmase21]

Lol. You really a punk trying to talk about me calling me loony when you don’t know nothing about me. How about you be a man and come to me like a man and call me a loony in my face instead of talking about me online on the blog when you don’t even have your face as a profile pic. Be a man and stop being a punk.

That's fair and I apologize. I don't know you or anything you've gone through.

While I don't think going live on social media when things in your career weren't going your way was the best way to go about things, I understand it was probably to let the public know what you were going through. It just seemed like you were doing too much and had all these emotions going on and that were built up.

I wish you the best of luck in life going forward. Don't let your injuries on the field determine your future.

Signed,
Punky McPunkerstein

 

[Chickenman Testa]

There's lots of additional stops between "Hates Franklin" and "would spend $ on the internet for a vial of his grundle sweat".

The latter is you vis-à-vis Derek Jeter

 

[BobPSU92]

What we are hearing are testimonials, not testimony.

Vegetables are sensual. People are sensuous.

 

[BBrown]

What we are hearing are testimonials, not testimony.

Vegetables are sensual. People are sensuous.

 

[Harrisburg Dave]

I hate doctors, with good reason. Incompetence layered on incompetence nearly killed me. Most of these doctors have a god complex.

Until I learn anything to tell me different I choose to think the legal action is being taken by a guy who feels butt hurt.

 

[LurkerLazarus]

I have found that most people who claim to hate doctors shift their position once they really need one.

 

[BBrown]

I have found that most people who claim to hate doctors shift their position once they really need one.

Thats pretty much true of Lawyers and Cops as well.

 

[Harrisburg Dave]

I have found that most people who claim to hate doctors shift their position once they really need one.

My feelings are the result of a botched by-pass, four surgeries in one week, subsequent misdiagnosis of a resulting condition, and a circling of the wagons by the incompetents who nearly killed me.

Those I meet in business are almost always, 80% of the time, know it alls who will not listen to experienced advise on business matters.

Nah, I only consult with them when I have no alternative, and I never listen to them without questioning their opinions.

63 years of life experience have taught me that most physicians are lazy bastards who compound arrogance with stupidity.

 

[Harrisburg Dave]

My feelings are the result of a botched by-pass, four surgeries in one week, subsequent misdiagnosis of a resulting condition, and a circling of the wagons by the incompetents who nearly killed me.

Those I meet in business are almost always, 80% of the time, know it alls who will not listen to experienced advise on business matters.

Nah, I only consult with them when I have no alternative, and I never listen to them without questioning their opinions.

63 years of life experience have taught me that most physicians are lazy bastards who compound arrogance with stupidity.

100% true doctor story.

I somehow survived one year of post botched surgery hell. I go to my cardiologist, who knows all I went through, for an annual exam.

He tells me he Is ordering “ a detailed test where the tech will place a heavy camera like device on your chest to give us a detailed look”.

Fine. I have the test with the heavy camera like device, and return to the cardiologist for my findings.

Cardiologist enters the exam room, 30 minutes late, with my file in his hands. He opens the file, lifts a couple pages, and as God is my witness, says he is ordering”a detailed test where the tech will place a heavy camera like device on your chest to give us a detailed look...”

I got up, took the file from his hand, and tossed it in the waste can. I told him to go f himself. He told me I can’t speak to him like that. I told him, “ I just did and will again.”

I walked out and never went back.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

100% true doctor story.

I somehow survived one year of post botched surgery hell. I go to my cardiologist, who knows all I went through, for an annual exam.

He tells me he Is ordering “ a detailed test where the tech will place a heavy camera like device on your chest to give us a detailed look”.

Fine. I have the test with the heavy camera like device, and return to the cardiologist for my findings.

Cardiologist enters the exam room, 30 minutes late, with my file in his hands. He opens the file, lifts a couple pages, and as God is my witness, says he is ordering”a detailed test where the tech will place a heavy camera like device on your chest to give us a detailed look...”

I got up, took the file from his hand, and tossed it in the waste can. I told him to go f himself. He told me I can’t speak to him like that. I told him, “ I just did and will again.”

I walked out and never went back.

You were essentially another protein blob to him.

I’m assuming he’s not married as I can imagine his interaction with others.

 

[fizzyskittles]

I’ve seen good docs and bad docs. However I’ve seen more bad patients than bad docs.