By Ken Reed
During last Thursday night’s NFL contest, the Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson left the game after being sent to the sideline by referee Walt Anderson. Wilson sat out for only one play. After the play, he got up and ran back into the game before he could be examined by the Seahawks’ medical staff.
After the Seahawks’ possession, Wilson went to the team’s medical tent. He returned to the game on the Seahawks’ next possession and finished the game.
It appears that the incident could’ve violated the league’s concussion protocol.
“The NFL and NFLPA, in conjunction with their medical advisory committees, implemented the NFL Game Day Concussion Protocol to address the diagnosis and management of concussions,” the NFL and NFLPA said in last year’s joint written announcement of the new procedures.
“The parties consistently review the Concussion Protocol to ensure that players are receiving care that reflects the most up to date medical consensus.”
Wilson only missed one play. That doesn’t reflect current medical thinking regarding potential brain injuries. Moreover, it doesn’t appear that the league’s concussion protocol was followed in this case.
And that needs to be addressed.
— Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director, League of Fans
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