Another Failing in the Effort to Protect NFL Players
 

I was there. Sitting in section 614 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, I watched as Saints tight end Jimmy Graham lay partially prone on the Superdome turf. Just moments earlier Graham had taken a vicious hit to the head from Redskins safety Madieu Williams (pictured right), one that drew not one, but four different flags from the replacement officials working yesterday’s game. The call was an easy one to make, as Williams left his feet and launched himself at Graham’s head. As the referees conferenced about applying the penalty, the Saints medical staff jogged out to the middle of the field to check on the clearly “dinged” Graham. Then something the NFL front office will probably gasp at happened. Graham stood up, literally seemed to try and “shake off” the hit, and then told the Saints medical staff to hit the road.

At first the Saints medical staff looked unsure as to what to do. They kind of lingered about with the rest of the Saints players as the penalty was announced to the crowd. Then, they gave Graham his wish and retreated back to the sideline. The officials calling the penalty and those still lingering about elsewhere on the field went back to their positions, and less than a minute later the Saints were running their next play.

Now, let me be clear, I’m not saying that Graham was in any way concussed. Perhaps he truly was just “shaking off” the effects of a hard hit, while suffering no potential brain or neck injury. But the problem is that both the officials and, more importantly, the Saints medical staff allowed Graham to remain in the game for the next play.

Another Failing in the Effort to Protect NFL Players | Third Down Conversion