As many as four anonymous UCF football players tell the Orlando Sentinel that Ereck Plancher's work out on the day he died (March 18) was more intense than the basic conditioning work out described by UCF officials and head coach George O'Leary.

These players say Coach O'Leary cursed at Plancher in the middle of the field after the workout. They say that Plancher couldn't look at O'Leary because he was trying to catch his breath. He, according to the report, starting staggering while trying to do jumping jacks. The players also say that at least four other players vomitted during the work out.

We all realize that football practice, especially at this level, can be extremely intense. A coach's job is to push his athletes.

But this story is very disturbing because you have not one but FOUR players going to an outside media organization. Could these players have an axe to grind against the coach or the administration? Sure. But, this story does suggest that there is a problem at UCF.

In athletics, there is an unwritten code that you just don't go outside the family. What is said and done inside the locker room and on the field, stays there. That's another reason why this story is disturbing.

It sounds like these players are fearful of retribution and fearful of something else happening as the result of these workouts.

What really caused Ereck Plancher's death?

We can't answer that question yet. But, I guarantee you, this story is not going away any time soon.