The return The arrival of Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts at the team’s facility Wednesday is a reminder that many questions remain about the decisions he made about his health before flying to London with a blood clot in his leg, playing in London with a blood clot in his leg and returning from London with a blood clot in his leg.
Widespread suspicion has emerged that the NFL and the NFL Players Association have launched a joint investigation into the care and recommendations Hurts received from team and league doctors. However, the investigation has not yet started.
The statement released by the league and the NFLPA said only that they are “work together to examine the issue.” No formal investigation has yet been opened. The union has the right under the collective agreement to open an investigation. This didn’t happeneither.
If the NFLPA wishes to work with the NFL on a formal investigation, it is essential that the union insist on a fair, objective and transparent process. This cannot be a CYA exercise.
Basically, it can’t give off the same vibes that have been emanating from the team and the league thus far. The union cannot afford to appear complicit in a cover-up. And the process must lead to real change, aimed at ensuring that someone disconnected from the team (and possibly the league, especially with regard to international matches) is involved in medical decisions regarding potentially serious health situations.
The NFL and NFLPA already employ an unaffiliated physician to diagnose concussions and clear players to return after sustaining a concussion. Other health issues require a similar level of detachment, to ensure that the team and player’s shared motivations for the player to play do not outweigh the importance of treating the player as a patient.
Gn sports
