ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The parents of a former University of Central Florida football player who died after a workout took the witness stand on Monday afternoon, and jurors took an unusual field trip to the UCF complex where Ereck Plancher collapsed and died.
Plancher's father, Enoch Plancher, took the stand on Monday and described how his son's death has taken a toll on his life.
"His death leaves a deep spot in my life," said Enoch Plancher.
On Monday morning, Judge Robert Evans escorted the jurors through the UCF sports complex. Plancher, who had sickle cell trait, collapsed in the Nicholson Field house during an off-season conditioning session in March of 2008.
Once the 20-minute tour was over, the jurors returned to the courthouse, where witness testimony continued. Plancher's parents are suing the UCF Athletics Association for millions of dollars. Plancher's parents said head football coach George O'Leary and trainers should have told them their son had sickle cell trait and believe something could have been done to save their son's life.
During a recorded video session in May, former player Nate Tice testified about the brutal workout conditions. Tice said he saw Plancher seconds after he collapsed.
"He was just kind of like, 'Oh, oh, oh.' That was my first kind of thought, maybe we should, maybe we should, you know, get him out of here," said Tice.
Evans said the trial should wrap by the end of the week.
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