Bucknell Faces Lawsuit Over Death of Freshman Football Player Calvin Dickey Jr.

Parents allege negligence and failure to follow safety protocols after their son died from sickle cell-related complications during a workout.

Calvin 'CJ' Dickey Jr., an 18-year-old Bucknell football player, died in July 2024 from sickle cell-related rhabdomyolysis after collapsing during a team workout.
His parents have filed a lawsuit against Bucknell University, claiming the school failed to implement safety measures despite being informed of their son's medical condition.
The lawsuit alleges that Dickey was performing 'up-downs' as punishment during the workout, with no trainer present, and showed visible signs of distress before collapsing.
The family accuses the university of negligence, wrongful death, and aggravated hazing, and claims the facility lacked an emergency action plan to address medical emergencies.
The Dickey family seeks compensation and hopes the case will drive systemic changes to improve athlete safety and prevent similar tragedies in collegiate sports.