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Cowboys Tent Collapses; Asst. Coach Breaks Back

By the Associated Press

Posted May 2, 2009 7:07 PM CDT

(AP) – Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis broke his back and 11 more were injured when winds just shy of tornado strength ripped through the roof of the team's indoor practice facility during a rookie minicamp today. Former coach Dan Reeves, DeCamillis' father-in-law, said the first-year Dallas coach has broken vertebrae in his lower back. "They say he's lucky not to be paralyzed," Reeves said.

The storm hit while 27 players were going through workouts. Officials say there were about 70 people in the facility. Of the 12 hospitalized, 10 were taken by emergency vehicles and two went on their own. "Right now, I think we don't have anybody who is in a life-threatening situation," said one doctor.

Firefighters investigate the collapsed canopy that covered the Dallas Cowboys indoor football facility in Irving, Texas, on Saturday, May 2, 2009.
Firefighters investigate the collapsed canopy that covered the Dallas Cowboys indoor football facility in Irving, Texas, on Saturday, May 2, 2009.   (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Dallas Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones, left, talks on a phone after the canopy that covered the Cowboys indoor football facility collapsed, Saturday, May 2, 2009, in Irving, Texas.
Dallas Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones, left, talks on a phone after the canopy that covered the Cowboys indoor football facility collapsed, Saturday, May 2, 2009, in Irving, Texas.   (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Dallas Cowboy football player Travis Bright along with teammates and staff search the wreckage for trapped people on Saturday, May 2, 2009 in Irving, Texas.
Dallas Cowboy football player Travis Bright along with teammates and staff search the wreckage for trapped people on Saturday, May 2, 2009 in Irving, Texas.   (AP Photo/Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Ron Jenkins)
Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis, left, talks with head coach Wade Phillips in Irving, Texas, Friday, May 1, 2009.
Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis, left, talks with head coach Wade Phillips in Irving, Texas, Friday, May 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/LM Otero)
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