Critical Thinking Question 1. In early 2012, coaches instructed a Pittsburgh professional football player, with the sickle cell trait,
to sit out a game in the high-altitude city, of Denver, Colorado. Doctors claimed that the trait, in
combination with extreme physical activity and a high altitude, was the primary reason he needed
to have his spleen and gallbladder removed after a previous game in the city. However, it has been
estimated that at least 90 other NFL players carry the sickle cell trait, and of those who have played
in Denver, they have never experienced such issues before. In fact, a study performed by Howard
University in 2000, showed no complications in athletes carrying sickle cell trait during the Mexico
City Olympics, another high-altitude location. Suppose you were a coach of a high school, college,
or professional sports team. Knowing what you know about sickle cell anemia and the trait, how
would you handle a situation similar to this one, in which one of your players has sickle cell trait or
the disease? Justify your position.