The state only meets one of seven minimum best practices recommendations.

That’s the contention of the University of Connecticut’s Korey Stringer Institute which partners with the National Football League, National Athletic Trainers Association and others.

The institute was founded in part by the widow of an NFL football player who died from heat stroke.

According to a lawsuit filed by a Greenville attorney for the parents of River Bluff football player Lewis Simkins, the institute recommends 7 high heat procedures that have been adopted by North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas but not South Carolina.

The lawsuit against Lexington District 1, the SC Board of Education, SC High School League and Lexington County states, “The negligent, careless, reckless, wanton, grossly negligent and intentional actions of the defendants singularly, or in combination, contributed to the agonizing death” of Lewis Sim-kins, including the fear and struggle he underwent before his death.

The Chronicle has asked the defendants or their lawyers to respond to the charges in the lawsuit.