The NFL and the NFLPA Working to Reframe Concussion Protocols Before Game Week Five After Tua Tagovailoa’s Scary Incident in Game Week Four
The NFL and the NFL Players Association are close to completing a new concussion protocol after receiving backlash following Tua Tagovailoa’s dangerous incident. The intended alteration would prohibit a player from re-entering a game if they had suffered a direct hit to the head and, in turn, stumbled after it.
The push for reforms comes after Tagovailoa suffered a hit to the head against the Bills in game week three and was then allowed to start their game week four match against the Bengals where he took another serious blow to the and suffered a serious concussion.
We don’t usually post NFL content. But this situation with Tua Tagovailoa is a messy one. Taking a nasty hit on Sunday against the Bills and this hit last night against the Bengals, there’s no way he should’ve played. Sending prayers 🙏 #HouseofColors #FinsUp #TuaTagovailoa #NFL pic.twitter.com/WT2CPWHMqb
— House of Colors (@HouseofColors_) September 30, 2022
As per reports, the focus of the change to the protocol will be on ataxia. The term “describes poor muscle control that causes clumsy voluntary movements. It may cause difficulty with walking and balance, hand coordination, speech and swallowing, and eye movements.” Tagovailoa displayed all of the above symptoms after he was tackled by Josh Tupou.
Tua Tagovailoa’s incident set to be a catalyst for change in the NFL
Insider Adam Schefter shared a statement put out by the NFLPA. The statement said, “Our union has agreed to change the concussion protocols to protect players from returning to play in the case of any similar incident to what we saw on September 25. We would like these changes to go into effect before this weekend’s games to immediately protect the players and hope the NFL accepts the change before then as well.”
NFLPA wants the changes in concussion protocol to be put into place for this weekend’s games: pic.twitter.com/TLEHKAaCQr
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 7, 2022
The NFL also released a statement on the matter saying, “As we have discussed with the NFLPA, we agree that changes to the joint NFL Independent Certified Athletic Trainers who serve as spotters to discuss these. NFLPA protocols are necessary to further enhance player safety. We have already spoken to members of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee and the leadership of the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultants and likely changes.”
Talked to @ChrisNowinski1, top traumatic brain injury expert, about Tua Tagovailoa. No equivocation. Chris says Tua shouldn't play another snap this season, & NEVER play again for Dolphins.
"The lack of respect for another human being is something I haven't seen in a long time." pic.twitter.com/l9puoVz6uF— michael j. babcock (@mikejbabcock) September 30, 2022
After the incident, Tagovailoa was interviewed extensively by the NFL and the NFLPA representatives to get a better understanding of his situation before proceeding with how to tackle the problem itself. It will be interesting to see how this plays out and the new changes that are brought about because of it.
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