September 18, 2008

Today’s date is September 18th 2008, time now is 1335 hours. My name is Detective
Terry Jones, my Code Number is 6354. I’m with the Louisville Metro Police Department. This
interview pertains to Case File #08-197 uh, it is a death investigation involving victim Max
Gilpin. This interview is being conducted at 6808 uh, Hill Peak Court and it w…, it’s regarding
the interview of coach Steve Deacon.

Jones Uh, coach Deacon can you identify yourself?

Deacon Yes. My name is Steve Deacon.

Jones And, your date of birth?

Deacon
Jones And, address?

Deacon 6808 Hill Peak Court.

Jones And, phone number?

Deacon
Jones Are you aware this interview is being taped?

Deacon Yes.

Jones Does it meet with your approval?

Deacon Yes.
Page 2 of 15
Statement: Steve Deacon / Case #08197(m)
September 18, 2008

Jones Okay. Uh, prior to going on tape uh, we talked

about uh, what had occurred on August 20,
2008. At which time Max Gilpin fell ill? If
you would uhm, elaborate again for me what
uh, what you duties were that particular day.
Uh, as it relates to PRP’s pr…, football
practice?

Deacon We started out uhm, the team got started kinda

late. Uh, it was probably about uhm, 4:30 uhm,
and we uh, took the field. And, they did a
couple of routines that they normally do. As far
as stretching, they get in 5 lines and they do
s…, little warm up period. Where they jog a
little bit and, and work on the hip flexors and
things like that. Then they uhm, uhm, go into
team stretch. And, then we go into a period that
we call team take off. And, uh, that’s where
the offenses uh, gets out, breaks out of the
huddle. Goes up to a lineman of the ball, and
they all run a play. And, then they run through
about 10 yards, and then they get back in
huddle up again. Uh, during that period we
have offense and defense that does the same
thing. So, the defense is on the other side, and
they run a play. And, then after their play is
finished uh, we go on with the second string
unit on offense. And, then we do it as well
defense. That period is called team take off,
that lasted about 6 to 10 minutes. And,
depending on how the plays are going, if
they’re executing and hustling and that thing.
Uh, then after that uhm, Coach Stinson had
notified me that we had a couple of players that
were injured. And, needed treatment and I’m
known as the team trainer. I help in those
issues, and help kids that uh, need to have ice
or any kind of tape treatment or something like
Page 3 of 15
Statement: Steve Deacon / Case #08197(m)
September 18, 2008

that. And, then I notify their parents, I let our

team physical therapist or team doctor know as
well. And, we go from there, so had uh, Sam
Ellis, Taylor Banks that needed some
treatment. Uh, whirlpool on, on an ice
treatment, and at that time I took them over to
the locker room for that treatment. Uhm, we
were probably in the locker room total about
45, 50 minutes. Uh, Sam was in the whirlpool
for about 20, and then Taylor was receiving
ice. And, then we switch ‘em and uhm, Taylor
was in the whirlpool. And, Taylor, uh, Sam got
ice. Uhm, when we finished up we got, went
back to practice. And, uhm, my brother Bobby,
who is the coach there at PRP. Had asked me
to check out one of our players named Antonio
Calloway. I uh, got over there and, and Antonio
was having trouble breathing. Seemed like his
uh, breaths were short and quick, and he had
just got through running uhm, gassers. And,
had exerted himself and uhm, I believe that he
got finished early. And, got to uh, as of
working hard that he got to finish his gassers
early. So, when I noticed that his breathing
uhm, was just uhm, controlled breathing?
Would allow him maybe to calm down and get
back to normal breaths. We put ice on the back
of his neck, sat him down under a shade tree.
And, uhm, held his arms on top of his head,
and continued to speak to him about controlled
breathing. And, and try to get him to breathe
normally. Uhm, at that time uhm, some
players yelled out, Coach Deacon Max needs
your help. And, I turned around and started
walking towards them. They were walking
towards me, 2 players uh, I don’t remember
their name? Had Max uh, upright walking him
to me. Uhm, when I got close to him he
collapsed and fell to the ground, on his knees.
Page 4 of 15
Statement: Steve Deacon / Case #08197(m)
September 18, 2008

Uh, I then walked around and supported Mat

underneath his shoulders. Uhm, and uhm,
asked him if he needed help, was he okay? To
see if he would respond, and then I, I started to
know that he was moaning? And, just seemed
like he was in exhaust state. Uhm, at that time
several coaches had walked up. Coach
Donnelly, Coach Webb, and Steve Ellis, and
another parent. And, I had gotten them to help
me get Max up in the gator unit. Uh, sat him
on the passenger side upright. Uhm, and Steve
Ellis held on to him in the back. And, they
drove over by the water uh, we got. When they
got water over there uhm, on Max, I asked a
couple of players to go get me some ice bags.
And, so I could have ‘em over there for Max.
Uh, then told uhm, Coach Bobb, Assistant
Athletic Director to meet me over there by the
gator with Antonio Calloway. So, both players
would be close to each other. And, I could
check their status ongoing. Uhm, when I got to
Max he had ice on the back on his neck. Uh,
we placed ice down on his lower hip area.
Uhm, we uhm, had water going on, on the back
of his neck. And, discontinuing (inaudible)…,
we tried to get him to respond to us. He still
wasn’t responding, still had the breathing and
norm. And, it was just kinda breathing and
groaning as he g…, took each breath. Uh, his
dad was there at the gator with us. Uh, that’s
when I looked at his dad and said, yeah it’s
pretty serious. We need to call, do you want me
to call, and he agreed upon that. Uh, that was
about 6:17 and then I called 911. And, she
gave me procedures on the phone uh, I was
right there next to Max and that gator. And, I
continued to do what she told me to do. Uh, I
told her that we had done a lot of the things
that she’d already requested. Like ice on the
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Statement: Steve Deacon / Case #08197(m)
September 18, 2008

back of the neck, ice on his lower extremities

and. And, she wanted me to feel his skin to see
if he was sweating. However, because of the
water draining down to his legs? Uh, he was
you know, covered in water constantly. So, uh,
I couldn’t tell if he was sweating at that time or
not. So, uhm, I guess after I made the call and
hung up? She explained to have uh, some help
so the EMS could get back to the location
where we were? So, I asked a couple of parents
that were there, and some players. To uhm, go
out there and, and locate their self where the
EMS could get back there. Uh, as quickly as
possible. Uhm, thinking around 10 to 13
minutes they arrived, and then I explained to
them what was going on. I stood by Max and,
and checked pulses and made sure that his. He
still had a heartbeat uh, we never had to apply
any CPR. Uh, he seemed to be breathing on his
own, and just in that moment uh, with each
breath. Uh, that time the EMS took over and
uh, I had gave them all the information. Given
them all the information that I had at that point.
With you know, as far as just a strong rapid
pulse. Uh, he was still breathing and uh, they
took over from there.

Jones Okay. And, he was ultimately transported to

the hospital by EMS?

Deacon EMS actually they took Antonio as well. Uh,

we asked them if we needed to make another
call. Or, what we needed to do, and they said
they’d just take and transport both of them.

Jones Okay. Uh, what is your position at, at the uh, as

it uh, regarding the coaching staff. What is
your, what do you do?
Page 6 of 15
Statement: Steve Deacon / Case #08197(m)
September 18, 2008

Deacon I’m a, I’m a assistant coach, and I coach the

quarterbacks and the receivers. However, I
been with PRP for, this is my 4th year. And, I
kinda stepped up and carried the roles of a, a
trainer so to speak. Uh, offering my services
as far as uh, taping the kids if they need tape?
And, being kinda like a go to person uh, if they
need assistance or need to go to see a doctor.
Or, physical therapist for treatment.

Jones And, only players that you actually assisted in

that capacity was 2 players, which uh, you said
went to the whirlpool and, the ice tub?

Deacon Yes, that was Sam Ellis and Taylor Banks that
day. Uhm, had some issues with like strains
and, and soreness. So, they were just placed in
the whirlpool and with some ice.

Jones Okay. And, uhm, when you arrived it was

around 4:30 p.m.?

Deacon Yes, sir.

Jones And, what kind of training was the team

taking, but was doing take. What kind of
training was taking place at that time?

Deacon At that time I just noticed that it was kind of a

transition period. There was people gettin’
water, there was people still running. Uh, there
was people uhm, walking around uh, just
waiting for the next uhm.

Jones Um-hum.

Deacon To, to end practice or bring it up, is what we

call it, to end practice. And, that kinda thing
uhm, but when I got there that’s when I was
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Statement: Steve Deacon / Case #08197(m)
September 18, 2008

called to check out Antonio as well. Uhm, but

as far as the 2 people that needed me after
Taylor and Sam? Was just uh, Antonio and
Max.

Jones Okay. And, when Antonio uh, because ill uh,

you just had notice that he had finished his, his
running drills. But, was in need of some type
of breathing assistance or, or breathing
exercises?

Deacon Well, he, it seemed like he was hyper

ventilating, he had a lot of short breaths. And,
he couldn’t get a normal breath and uh, or a
deep breath. So, Coach Bob Deacon was
helping him and assisting him trying to get him
to take uh, normal breaths. And, control his
breathing uhm, we were just trying to coach
him through it mentally.

Jones And, you’re not for sure how long the team
had been running gassers?

Deacon No, I sure, I’m not for sure at all.

Jones And, you left the field to go back to the gym

with the 2 players at what time?

Deacon Uh, let’s see it was probably about 5:15, 5:20.

Jones So, they uh, they went back, you went back to
the locker room, right?

Deacon They went back to the locker room.

Jones Okay. And, you uh, was not present on the field
during the majority of the training?

Deacon No, sir I wasn’t.

Page 8 of 15
Statement: Steve Deacon / Case #08197(m)
September 18, 2008

Jones And, when you got back that’s when you

noticed that someone had called your name?

Deacon Yes.

Jones Uh, regarding Antonio or, or Max?

Deacon An…, Antonio.

Jones Okay. And, uh, regarding Max’s illness uh,

you were attending to Calloway at the time.
When you said a player, how, how’d you
become aware of that Max (inaudible)…

Deacon I was attending to Antonio and my back was

towards the team. And, Antonio was sitting in
the shade. And, when I was talking him
controlled breathing. Uhm, I believe my
brother was there, Coach Bob Deacon and.
And, so I kinda heard somebody shout out
uhm, hey Max needs, needs help. Uhm, I’m
not sure, it sounded like they said that. You
know, Max is down he needs help. Uhm, and
then that’s when I uh, walked towards them.

Jones Okay. And, when you got to Max he uh,

collapsed to his knees?

Deacon Collapsed to his knees, he was still conscious,

he was still breathing. He had a little moan,
groan uhm, and then appeared to me at that
time, that he was just totally exhausted, and uh.

Jones Was he sweating at that point when he

collapsed?

Deacon Yes, yes, yes..

Page 9 of 15
Statement: Steve Deacon / Case #08197(m)
September 18, 2008

Jones He was sweating?

Deacon Yes.

Jones But, as you called EMS and later they told you
to do another evaluation? You couldn’t
determine if he was still sweating because he
had water drenched on him?

Deacon That’s correct.

Jones Okay. And, practice is normally over at what

time?

Deacon 6 p.m.

Jones And, you described this practice as a uh, late

practice or?

Deacon Yeah, things got a little started late uh;

normally It’s about 3:15, 3:30 when the kids
take the field, so.

Jones Okay.

Deacon They were about uh, about an hour or hour and

15 minutes late.

Jones Behind schedule?

Deacon Um-hum.

Jones Okay. And, the and the training is set up as an

agenda. Everyone knows what they supposed
to do at that particular training. And, you
practice every, every coach knows what
(inaudible)…

Deacon Sure, absolutely the coach uh, he actually,

Page 10 of 15
Statement: Steve Deacon / Case #08197(m)
September 18, 2008

that’s one of his pet peeves. He likes the kids to

know what’s going on. So, he places an agenda
uh, right there as you come into the locker
room. And, the kids know exactly if they have
to have full gear, or just partial.

Jones Okay.

Deacon Or, just shorts and helmet. So, they know up

front what entitles for practice.

Jones What to expect? Okay. And, so Uhm, so the

training is, is set out in an agenda kind of
fashion. Uh, is this an everyday, how many,
how many times a week does the team train?

Deacon Uhm, let’s see we have, we have 5 practices

before our game. Uh, so we have 4 practices
uh, since we play on Friday.

Jones Okay. And, uh.

Deacon Usually about 3 hours.

Jones Okay. And, you will uh, do you, do you know

uh, what time the last water break your team
received?

Deacon Uhm, lets see, I believe they were gettin’ water

about when I left for team. To go take Tren…,
Taylor and uh, Sam to the, right after team take
off.

Jones Okay. And, let me go toward break is it as a

team or is it in individuals?

Deacon Uhm, it’s basically uhm, as individual, ‘cause

each coach uhm. When it goes into individual
period uh, some will go get water right away.
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Statement: Steve Deacon / Case #08197(m)
September 18, 2008

And, then some will uh, wait until after

individual sessions over.

Jones And, it’s, it’s all up to that particular coach to

determine that. If they completed their
assignments or duties in a proper way. He feels
comfortable with what they, they learn. He, he
can cut ‘em loose early?

Deacon Yeah. Each coach has, has the authority to just

uh, watch what’s going on in their drill. And,
they uh, let the players get a drink anytime that
they need water.

Jones And, you couldn’t tell me what the other

coaches duties consist of? Or, if they even
gave, gave water breaks (inaudible)…

Deacon No, I, no I couldn’t tell, I was asked to leave

and take Taylor and Sam to the, to the locker
room.

Jones Okay.

Deacon Uhm, I can tell you that on a normal day that

uh, each coach allows their players to get water
as often as they need it.

Jones So, if I asked you how long the team been

running sprints, you couldn’t answer that?

Deacon No.

Jones Okay. Uhm, give me a second. Did you see

any of the players become ill?

Deacon No.

Jones That required any assistance whatsoever?

Page 12 of 15
Statement: Steve Deacon / Case #08197(m)
September 18, 2008

Deacon No.

Jones Okay, okay. Uh, and you said your son plays
on the team?

Deacon Yes, my son Zack Deacon.

Jones What’s your uh, son Zack?

Deacon Uh-huh.

Jones Okay. And, and you s…, you told me uh, that
your son explained to you why the team was
running sprints?

Deacon Yeah. Uh, that night I had asked him if we just,

was it any uhm difference in the running of
you know. Compared to other practices, and he
said. No, because they didn’t do the drills that
they were normally supposed to be doing. Uh,
they didn’t get through the team procedures
that they normally do. Uh, some terms like 7
on 7, uh, team where we work together. And,
run off in some defensive plays? Uh, he said
pretty much that nobody was, they were
lacking in their effort. And, coach just decided
to go ahead and, and make a conditioning
period.

Jones Okay, okay. And, again you don’t know how

long the team had been doing, running
conditioning drills?

Deacon I do not know uh, normally we run anywhere

between 6 or 8, what we call gassers, and.

Jones Okay.
Page 13 of 15
Statement: Steve Deacon / Case #08197(m)
September 18, 2008

Deacon Sometimes they’re timed, it just depends on

the, how hot it is. I did notice that they, they
didn’t have their gear on. They didn’t have
their helmets, they didn’t have their shoulder
pads.

Jones Okay.

Deacon And, that kinda thing.

Jones Okay. All right, is there anything else I didn’t

ask, anything else in…, important that you
wanna cover?

Deacon Uhm, just the incident that my son was called

down. Uh, and relayed some information to
Coach Stinson on a Wednesday night. I
believe, and then my son was called down
uhm, I’m not sure. It was either that Thursday
or Friday. Uhm, without my p…, approval to
talk to uh, this assistant principle. Or, the, the
principle Dave Johnson.

Jones Um-hum. So, letter you had a letter sent home

with you, with your son (inaudible)…

Deacon I had a letter sent home and we were supposed

to sign agreement. Or, uhm, get in touch with
the metro.

Jones Right.

Deacon If we did not want our sons or uh, interviewed

without a parent.

Jones Okay. So, you uh, you obviously didn’t want

your player, you son who is a player.

Deacon Yes.
Page 14 of 15
Statement: Steve Deacon / Case #08197(m)
September 18, 2008

Jones You didn’t want him to have any contact as it

relates to this case, without you being there or
being notified?

Deacon Yes. And, matter of fact I called the assistant

athletic director and let him, left a message for
him.

Jones Okay.

Deacon Because, I didn’t get the letter right away.

Jones Who is the assistant?

Deacon Uh, actually it’s the, it’s the main guy Craig
Webb.

Jones You left a message with him?

Deacon Left it with the athletic director.

Jones And, and he stated that someone had already,

someone had talked to your son after the letters
had came out?

Deacon I had just informed him that I didn’t want

anybody speaking to Zach. And, make sure that
I knew about it.

Jones Okay. And, uh, is there anything else you add

(inaudible)…, that I didn’t ask you? Anything
else important?

Deacon I think that’s got it.

Jones Okay. Uh, and you, did you ever hear of any
coaches deny players water while you were
there?
Page 15 of 15
Statement: Steve Deacon / Case #08197(m)
September 18, 2008

Deacon Uh, no.

Jones Okay. All right uh, again I’ll go ahead and go

off record. Uh, if you have anything uh, if we
come up with other questions, well go back on
record. But, I think we will conclude it, and at
this time (inaudible)… Time now is 1355
hours.

END OF STATEMENT

File #08197mjones-dl