LANCASTER, SC (WBTV/Gray News) – A teacher has been placed on leave after having football players do drills on a hot turf field that resulted in blisters and third-degree burns, according to an incident report.

Football players at Buford High School in South Carolina told investigators they were punished for making cat noises while preparing for weightlifting class. As punishment, the teacher allegedly took them outside to the astroturf football field and made them do bear walks and crab walks.

The players told the teacher that the turf was burning their hands, but the teacher reportedly told them to “keep going to toughen up their soft hands,” according to the incident report.

Classes were about to end and the highest temperature that day was 93 degrees. According to the accident report, the temperature on artificial turf fields is about 20 degrees higher than the air.

After completing the drills, some players asked the instructor if they could have their hands bandaged before starting weightlifting and soccer practice. Some players interviewed by authorities said he denied their request, while others said they were able to have their injured hands bandaged.

Photos of the players’ hands show that they were blistered. At least one player suffered injuries so severe that a doctor described the wounds as “third-degree burns,” the accident report said.

The following day, at least two players were unable to take part in a training game due to hand injuries.

The sheriff’s office then spoke with players, parents, the school principal and the teacher.

During an interview, the teacher said he had the players do drills on the turf field, but he didn’t know how hot the field could get. He told investigators he didn’t see the players’ hands. He also said he was not a coach and his only responsibility with the football team was to “get the players in shape.” The incident report went on to say he “seemed remorseful.”

Investigators concluded that no charges would be filed against the teacher and that the incident “should be a matter for the school to handle.”

On Tuesday, the Lancaster County School District confirmed that the teacher had been placed on paid administrative leave.

According to a school district spokesman, the incident is still under investigation.

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