Family of Bucknell Football Player Files Lawsuit After Tragic Death During First Practice

The family of Calvin "CJ" Dickey Jr., a Bucknell University football player who tragically passed away during his first practice, has filed a lawsuit against the university. CJ’s death occurred on July 12, 2024, after collapsing during what his family alleges was an excessively intense workout session.

Attorney Mike Caspino, representing CJ’s parents, announced the lawsuit at a press conference, describing the loss as "a brutal and painful death." Caspino accused the football coaches of negligence, stating, "Despite CJ Dickey's death nearly nine months ago, the school has withheld critical details about the circumstances of his passing. They refuse to tell his parents the full story." The family is seeking answers, accountability, and compensation.

According to the lawsuit, CJ succumbed to rhabdomyolysis—a rare and life-threatening muscle condition triggered by extreme physical exertion. The condition was compounded by CJ’s sickle cell trait, which the lawsuit claims Bucknell University was aware of prior to the training camp.

The incident reportedly involved CJ performing 100 "up-downs" as punishment after the team faltered during a workout. Witnesses observed CJ struggling to keep up before collapsing. He was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent dialysis and emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his extremities. Tragically, CJ’s heart stopped two days later.

"He died a horrible, painful death that was 100% preventable," Caspino emphasized. The lawsuit accuses Bucknell University and associated parties of negligence, claiming they failed to appropriately manage CJ’s pre-existing health condition and subjected him to unsafe physical demands.

Bucknell University responded with a brief statement describing CJ’s death as "a tragic loss" while declining further comment due to the pending litigation. "The health and safety of all Bucknell students remains our top priority," the university stated.

The NCAA mandates sickle cell testing for athletes within six months of participating in sports activities. The lawsuit alleges that CJ tested positive for sickle cell trait and that a Bucknell trainer had discussed his condition with his mother prior to the training session. Despite this, the lawsuit claims no precautions were taken to prevent the fatal outcome.

This heartbreaking case raises important questions about athlete health protocols and the responsibilities of sports programs in safeguarding their players. With the lawsuit now underway, CJ’s family hopes to uncover the truth and ensure such tragedies are prevented in the future.