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Former Football Player Sues Towson University After Heatstroke

Towson University Website

TOWSON, Md. (AP) - A former Towson University football player, who suffered a near fatal heatstroke two years ago, has sued the university after being told he wouldn't be able to rejoin the team.

According to the lawsuit filed in a Baltimore court Thursday, 22-year-old offensive lineman Gavin Class has been rehabilitating and training since last year with the goal of returning for the upcoming season.

In August 2013, Class collapsed during practice and spent two months in the hospital undergoing 15 surgeries, including a liver transplant.

Earlier this month, Towson's general counsel told him that he would not be allowed to return to the team because he remains a high risk for another heatstroke.

The lawsuit accuses Towson of disability discrimination.

Class has two years of football eligibility remaining, according to court filings.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.