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Cowboys' Practice Facility Collapses

Posted: 12:36 am EDT May 3, 2009

(Sports Network) - Dallas Cowboys special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis was among those injured Saturday after the team's indoor practice facility collapsed during a thunderstorm.

DeCamillis was taken away on a stretcher after sustaining a possible neck injury, and 10 total members of the team's staff were taken to area hospitals. There were two additional hospital walk-ins, but none of the injuries are considered life-threatening.

The team said about half an hour into the second practice of the day, at around 3:25 p.m. (c.t.), the roof and light fixtures began to shake. Only moments later the bubble roof of the Valley Ranch facility collapsed.

About 70 people were inside the facility, including 27 players, some of whom helped a news reporter from the debris. Fire and rescue workers fled to the scene, and all players and coaches were accounted for. The team said the rest of the mini-camp is likely canceled.

"On behalf of the organization I would like to first express our tremendous gratitude to the City of Irving fire, police and emergency medical personnel, who responded in a very rapid and effective manner," Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple said. "In addition, I would like to say that our primary thoughts and concerns at this time are with those who were injured and their families."

The facility, which covered a regulation-sized football field, was a canopy supported by steel frames. However, the National Weather Service reported wind gusts of at least 64 miles per hour, which helped bring the structure down.

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Sole possession of first place in the NFC's East Division will be on the line when the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles renew their spirited rivalry with a Sunday night showdown at Lincoln Financial Field to highlight the Week 9 schedule.


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