Citing a report by The Associated Press, a former University of Iowa football player had sought legal action against the coaches and trainers of his former football team. William Lowe, formerly of University of Iowa's Hawkeyes, said in the lawsuit that he suffered exertional rhabdomyolysis, or the breakdown of damaged skeletal muscle tissues allegedly due to a n intense workout on January 20, 2011. Sports Illustrated noted that Lowe is one of the 13 college players who had been hospitalized and diagnosed with the disease.

Lowe, who was a cornerback for Hawkeyes back then, said in his lawsuit filed in Johnson County district court on Monday that the team's coaches and trainers failed to supervise him properly during the workout. Lowe also blamed the school for its failure to provide immediate medical care after he and the other players complained of severe pain and other symptoms of rhabdomyolysis. He also stated in his lawsuit that he had suffered from the effects of the condition as he was required to take part in additional workouts of the team in the succeeding days.

"The injuries and damages sustained by Plaintiff William Lowe ... arose from the same general types of danger that Defendant should have avoided through safe and proper athletic training and supervision," his lawsuit read.

AP quoted Lowe in the lawsuit, who said that after his release from the hospital on February 2, he was still losing weight and suffered from pain in his legs and lower back over the next several months aside from high blood pressure and headaches.

In an investigative committee report ordered by the University of Iowa, Lowe and the others participated in a workout session that was designed to test the player's physical stamina, and mental toughness. Players were found to have performed 100 back squats at 50 percent of their latest personal bests, the committee report revealed.