Jordan McNair to Be Honored by Moments of Silence, Jersey Retirement After Death

The University of Maryland will honor former Terrapins offensive lineman Jordan McNair, who died June 13 after suffering heatstroke during a May 29 practice, with two moments of silence and the retirement of his No. 79 jersey until 2021.

On Monday, Heather Dinich of ESPN.com reported the Terps will hold moments of silence before their Sept. 1 season-opening clash with Texas and Sept. 15 home opener against Temple. In addition, no one will wear his jersey number through his anticipated 2020 graduation year.

Dinich reported other steps Maryland will take to remember McNair, including wearing No. 79 helmet stickers, naming its under-construction offensive line room in his honor and endowing a scholarship in his name.

CNN's Jill Martin provided additional details, noting McNair will be honored on senior day with his class and that his locker will be encased in glass.

Maryland lineman Ellis McKennie, who attended high school with McNair, said McNair "fought until his very last breath for his teammates," per Dinich.

"The moment that we stop saying his name, the moment we begin to forget, his legacy will begin to fade," he said. "But we plan to have his legacy live on forever. We plan to never forget. This season, Jordan's spirit will live within each and every one of us. Every play we make, every snap we take will be in Jordan's honor."

An ESPN.com report published Aug. 10 alleged Maryland head coach DJ Durkin, who was hired in December 2015, created a "toxic" culture with a "coaching environment based on fear and intimidation" that included "extreme verbal abuse of players."

Athletic director Damon Evans announced last week Durkin was placed on administrative leave while the school investigated the allegations.

McNair's parents, Marty McNair and Tonya Wilson, told Dinich they believed Durkin should be fired for failing to protect their son.

"When I think of DJ Durkin, all I remember is him sitting at our kitchen table and assuring me that he would take care of my son, and he did anything other than that," Marty McNair said.

"I think he should be relieved of his job. I don't think that he should be allowed to coach anyone else's child in an environment like this. My child died. That's something we'll never get back. That's something that will never heal. Yeah, he needs to go."