Immediate injury reports rile Texas coach

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AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas coach Mack Brown closed football practice to fans and reporters for the rest of the preseason on Friday, citing concerns that player injury information was being posted on the Internet.

Brown asked fans not to bring cell phones to practice after some used their phones to take pictures of injured wide receiver Jordan Shipley at practice Thursday night. The Austin American-Statesman also posted an online report within 15 minutes of the injury.

Brown closed practice outright after Friday's session. The only practice that will be open to fans and the media will be a scrimmage on Aug. 20 which is designated as Fan Appreciation Day.

"A parent should never have to read on the Internet or hear through the media that their son has been hurt before we can even get off the practice field and call them," Brown said in a statement released by the school. "It's our responsibility to protect the privacy of our student-athletes with regard to injuries."

Shipley limped off the field after injuring his right hamstring. One of Texas' prized recruits in 2004, he missed last season with a knee injury suffered in preseason practice.

Brown had warned that he saw "way too many" fans getting shots of the injured player and that he might close practice.

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press

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