« Reply #318 on: October 04, 2022, 09:27:47 AM »
So it has come out that the NFLPA fired the independent doctor that examined Tua because he was "hostile" in the process and didn't understand his role. But no allegation of an incorrect diagnosis or any mistakes with respect to medical treatment. So basically a personality thing.
In fairness, we don't know what the allegations mean. Hostility in the process *could* mean that was evasive in his answers. "Didn't understand his role" *might* mean that he was deferential to team doctors instead of conducting a truly independent analysis.
At some point, I'm sure we'll get a report -- or competing reports -- about what the doctor is alleged to have done wrong. In the interim, the NFLPA and NFL will negotiate additional protocol.
That is true, but the reporters that were talking about it said it didn't appear related to a medical diagnosis.
Sounds a whole lot like a PR thing.
That said it appears they are actually going to change the protocol such that any hit that affects gross motor control for any reason will automatically pull the player from the rest of the game. In that case it makes no difference if it is head, back, or some other body part that is injured. That seems like a good change to make.
Agreed. I'll be interested if the players as a whole agree.
I doubt they will because something could be deemed gross motor control that actually isn't. Like a guy getting the wind knocked out of him and stumbling around because he can't breathe, but then recovers his breath in a minute or two and is perfectly fine. That would be a tough pill to swallow. Or what if Tua really did only hurt his back and had a bit of a back stinger, but really was fine after a few minutes. Should that keep them out?
At some point there does need to be a recognition that football is a dangerous game and there is going to be risk. The league and NFLPA absolutely need to protect players from themselves and their teams, but they can take this too far in that direction. Some would argue they already have with how sensitive they are to QB hits, going further could cause even more of that.
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