On Jan. 6, Coach John Harrell forced athletes to do nearly 400 push-ups in an hour. The school has suspended the coach, and Child Protective Services (CPS) is currently investigating the situation.

Harrell at Rockwall High School assigned 40 students to do several hundred push-ups for mistakes made during practice. Multiple athletes needed medical attention, and some were even hospitalized.

One child was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a condition where the muscle tissue releases proteins and electrolytes into the bloodstream and can damage the heart and kidneys.

“He could not lift his arms, brush his teeth,” parent Osehotue Okokie said. “He could not lift his hands to wash his face. He had swelling in his muscles. I’ve spoken to military folks, and they haven’t done that level of workout, and these are children.”

However, some students and parents are still standing by Harrell’s side in spite of the allegations.

“We as a team want to support Coach Harrell and all of our teammates, Harrell has been a father figure to a lot of these boys, including me, and, you know, he’s just a great man,” varsity football player Brady Luff said.