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Football death: School responds to lawsuit

Reporter:  Kim Dacey

The Henderson County school system responds to a lawsuit filed against them in the death of 16-year-old Ryan Owens. Owens collapsed and died after football practice at Henderson County High School in July. Just last month, his parents, Randy and Marla Owens, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the school system. And now the attorney for them is speaking out.

Steven Todd, Owens family member, says, "I think they're really struggling with the death of their son."

Steven Todd grew up with Randy Owens, his first cousin, and is close to the family that lost their 16-year-old son, Ryan, in July when he collapsed and died after football practice at Henderson County High School.

Randy and his wife, Marla, recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the coaches, school board and other people they feel are responsible for Ryan's death.  "I think that Randy and Marla feel that not enough was done in some capacity to prevent the death of their son. And, I think, they feel that not enough has been done after his death to prevent further deaths."

On Tuesday, attorneys for the school system responded to that lawsuit. Mike Owsley, attorney for the school system, says, "We have admitted those things that we believe to be true, and we have denied those things that we believe are not correct."

Bowling Green attorney Mike Owsley says the school system believes Ryan died because of a heart defect found by the medical examiner and maintains there was no wrong-doing of any kind on the part of the defendants. "We do not believe that the heat on the field played any role in the unfortunate death of Ryan Owens."

Owsley also filed a separate motion to dismiss the board of education from the list of defendants based on governmental immunity.

Steven Todd says Randy and Marla Owens are hoping and praying their son's death will bring some positive changes to protect student athletes. "They're trying to make a point that something needs to be done, and that they don't want their son to have died in vain."

A judge will decide on whether or not the school board will be excluded from the list of defendants in the lawsuit in court on Monday.