In a thrilling matchup against the Commanders on Thursday night, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts found himself in a medical tent for a preliminary concussion evaluation just before halftime. However, by the time halftime rolled around, Hurts was already out of the tent and jogging to the locker room.
Following the game, when asked about the evaluation, Hurts stated, “I guess I beat the protocol,” but offered no further specifics on how he managed that. When questioned about whether he was surprised by the evaluation, he responded, “It happens. Was I surprised? I don’t know.”
What raised eyebrows was not only the timing of Hurts’s evaluation but also the fact that he was not checked after a particularly jarring moment earlier in the game when he fell hard on a failed trick play. Many observers expected that incident to trigger an immediate evaluation, but it did not, despite the presence of designated personnel responsible for monitoring player safety during the game.
Hurts’s comment on “beating the protocol” highlights a critical issue: players often see these evaluations as obstacles rather than essential healthcare measures. This mindset not only jeopardizes players’ health but also underscores the importance of treating concussion protocols as serious medical assessments rather than mere checkboxes to be checked off.
It’s crucial for the NFL and its teams to prioritize the health and well-being of their players, ensuring that concussion evaluations are taken seriously and viewed as vital healthcare procedures. By fostering an environment where players feel comfortable prioritizing their health, the league can help mitigate the long-term effects of concussions in football.
In a broader sense, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of athlete safety and the ongoing need for effective health protocols in sports, which, if embraced, could lead to a healthier and more resilient player community. The league has the opportunity to reshape perspectives on health and safety in sports, ensuring that protocols serve their intended purpose.