Peter Warrick wipes sweat from Wednesday practice. (Ernest Coleman photos) | ZOOM |

        GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Even before the NFL told its 31 teams Wednesday afternoon to re-examine their training procedures in the wake of Korey Stringer's death, the Bengals' medical staff reviewed its policies and declared them fit.

        “We had discussions today with our physicians if there is anything we could or should do differently,” trainer Paul Sparling said late Wednesday. “We're just making sure, reviewing to make sure the protocols we have in place are sufficient.”

        Stringer, a 27-year-old Vikings offensive tackle, died of heatstroke shortly after midnight Wednesday. He had participated in the team's second training camp workout Tuesday and lost consciousness in a training room.

        In Bengals camp, the treatment for dehydration and other heat-related ailments is prevention.

        “The thing we emphasize all the time is that players have to hydrate before they come out, during practice, after practice, between practices,” Sparling said. “That's critical. If you don't, it's just a matter of time before you have problems.”

Trainers keep plenty of liquids nearby. | ZOOM |

        The medical staff monitors how much weight players lose during a practice and regain between practices. Losing more than 5-7

        percent of body weight and failure to regain most of it are signs that a player is a candidate for heatstroke.

        That was the case Tuesday when 308-pound defensive tackle Oliver Gibson needed two IV bags during the afternoon practice. Trainers had seen Gibson lose too much weight too quickly without gaining some of it back.

        IVs are necessary in some cases because drinking will not rehydrate a player fast enough.

        “It makes you think,” Gibson said of Stringer's death. “You think, "OK, I'm going to cramp up. That's as bad as it's going to get.' You just have to remember to be careful.”

        There's still a sense among some NFL players that they don't want to get the first training camp IV, but that heroism is fading.

Chad Johnson | ZOOM |

        “You get the tough-guy attitude from some, but most guys — when the heat exhaustion and heat cramps really start — usually are begging for assistance,” Sparling said.

        The Bengals require players to weigh in and weigh out before and after practice. A chart hangs near the locker room scale. Failure to get weighed draws a fine from coach Dick LeBeau.

        “We try to take every precaution we possibly can take,” said a visibly shaken LeBeau, who addressed Stringer's death with players during a meeting Wednesday morning. LeBeau also asked cornerback Tom Carter, who started the team's optional Bible study each week, to lead the team in prayer after the morning skills session.

        Each Bengals player and coach knelt in a group at the middle of a practice field and prayed for Stringer, his family and teammates.

        Sparling also said LeBeau is careful to give his players water breaks during practice. Offensive and defensive linemen, the biggest players on a team and the most vulnerable to heatstroke, are given 15-minute rest breaks during full-pad afternoon practices.

        Stringer's death is believed to be the first NFL training camp death since former St. Louis Cardinals tight end J.V. Cain died of a heart attack July 22, 1979, his 28th birthday.

        The last game death took place Oct.24, 1971, when former Detroit Lions wide receiver Chuck Hughes died at Tiger Stadium in Detroit in a game against the Chicago Bears. LeBeau was a Lions teammate and was on the sideline that afternoon.

        Stringer's death came six days after University of Florida freshman Eraste Autin died after collapsing of heatstroke. He was the latest of 18 high school or college players to die of heat-related causes since 1995, according to figures from the University of North Carolina.

        Heatstroke and related heat ailments are a concern in NFL training camps, where 300-pound men practice twice a day in conditions that often exceed 90 degrees and 90 percent humidity.

        It's common, especially in the early days of camp, when players are getting into their best physical condition, for some players to be overcome by the heat.

        Trainers place several water stations on the practice fields. The stations are mobile and are pulled by training staff all over the fields to be nearer to players.

        Some coolers contain iced towels, often dripped on the back of a player's neck or wrapped around his neck to lower his core body temperature. Trainers attend every practice or skills session to watch for player behavior that indicates dehydration — light-headedness, dizziness, vomiting.

        The medical staff pushes fluids throughout the day. The team dining room at Georgetown College includes a refrigerator stocked with sports drinks and bottled water.

        “They're taking precautions,” tackle Willie Anderson said. “They don't want a guy going back to his room at night and he's lost 10 pounds and hasn't told anybody about it. They're constantly telling you to take water to your room, as much as you want.”

        Stringer's death cast a spiritual tone over the camp.

        “You're not immortal,” Gibson said. “Like Coach LeBeau said, "Nobody's promised tomorrow.' It's kind of a wake-up call. You have to know your limits.”

        Fullback Lorenzo Neal, who also took an IV Tuesday, also made reference to LeBeau's speech.

        “You got to tell your loved ones that you love them, because you think you're granted 80 years, but you're not,” Neal said.

        Anderson: “Our prayers and best wishes go out to (Stringer's) family. It's sad. I was thinking this morning, Korey had his first Pro Bowl season last year. It's all in God's will.”

        For LeBeau, news of Stringer's death took him back to that October 1971 day in Tiger Stadium when Hughes collapsed on the field. He had run a pass route and had been hit by Bears linebacker Dick Butkus.

        “We were in a two-minute drill,” said LeBeau, who was in his 13th of 14 seasons with the Lions. “He was 27 years old and a fit athlete. When the Lord calls you, he calls you.

        “It's a loss for all of us. We just want to express that our hearts and prayers are with Korey and his family. We pray that it doesn't happen to anybody.”

Stringer's friend, agent find ways to cope
Latest update from Associated Press
Determination cost Stringer his life
SULLIVAN: OSU teammate mourns Stringer
Athletes at high risk in heat

Bengals deem camp safe Warren contract no reason for hope

Reds 10, Dodgers 5
Dunn breaks out of slump
Reds feeling giddy on win streak
Lack of trades pleases Griffey
Sowers may throw for Reds officials
Reds box, runs
Golf Course Spotlight: TPC at River's Bend
Collector remembers '33 Amateur at Kenwood
Edgewood golfer wins Junior Tour event
Boys City Jr. golf scores
Girls City Jr. golf scores
New pairing system livens up senior tennis
Bonds hits 46th homer
Power on display at Metro tourney
Metro softball scores

• Return to Bengals front page...