A sudden crack of thunder cut through the humid afternoon at Bryan Station High School, where Coach J.T. Haskins Sr. was securing a gate after a multi‑team seven‑on‑seven scrimmage.
The bolt struck him squarely, sending him to his knees, while his wife Hailey, hearing the thunder, initially thought she had run over his foot.
Haskins walked away unscathed by burns, drove himself home despite his wife's protests, and later felt a tightness in his chest that prompted a visit to Central Baptist Hospital.
Safety Rules on the Field
Kentucky high school sports regulations require an immediate stoppage of activities whenever lightning is spotted, a rule that was triggered moments after the strike.
The Centers for Disease Control notes that the odds of being struck by lightning are less than one in a million, yet the potential consequences make vigilance essential for coaches, athletes and parents alike.
Beyond the personal drama, the Haskins family hopes their story will raise awareness about the hidden danger of summer storms, especially for young athletes like Jordan Haskins, the coach’s senior cornerback/wide receiver who has committed to Louisville.