Roger Goodell: 'We welcome' NFLPA call for investigation into Jalen Hurts' blood clots
NEW YORK — After the NFL Players Association called for an investigation into the handling of Jalen Hurts’ blood clots, commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday “we welcome that.”
“That’s fine,” Goodell said. “Our chief medical officers have been through the protocols that were followed. So we welcome that. That’s what they did, they have that right.”
Hurts was diagnosed Oct. 10 with a superficial blood clot on his calf and then played the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Oct. 11. In the days that followed last week, doctors found the blood clot had moved not only into the deep veins of his calf but also into both of his lungs.
The Eagles placed him on injured reserve as he undergoes treatment with blood thinners.
Questions swirled regarding the safety of Hurts playing and traveling on a seven-plus hour transatlantic flight with the clots. NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller denounced Tuesday what he called “the unfounded criticism that was leveled against” team doctors in response to Hurts’ progressed condition.
The NFL Players Association issued a statement Tuesday evening calling for an investigation.
“The NFLPA is not aware of any NFL investigations into the medical care provided to Jalen Hurts,” the union said in a statement. “In fact, the league previously informed the union that it did not plan to review the care he received.
“Before conclusions are drawn about how this situation was handled, there must be a full investigation into what occurred. Determining the facts is essential to ensuring players receive the highest level of care and protection going forward.”
Goodell reiterated that NFL chief medical officer Allen Sills had reviewed the care Hurts received and was “comfortable” with it. Sills said Tuesday that the medical treatment given to Hurts was “incredibly conservative and incredibly vigilant,” decisions made in medicine without interference from football decision-makers.
Goodell fielded questions about a player’s ability to sit if they believe their health warrants as well as a doctor’s latitude to rule a player out.
“I’d have to ask that specifically,” he said, “but I’m sure if a medical advisor said not to do something, that would be followed.”
Goodell also said he did not believe international travel had much to do with Hurts’ diagnosis.
Immobility and/or dehydration on flights can provoke blood clots if blood doesn’t flow as swiftly between the calves and the heart, two independent medical experts told Yahoo Sports by phone on Monday.
“I think the most important thing here is Jalen's health ultimately in the future,” Goodell said. “He's a wonderful young man, not just a great player, but he's someone we all care deeply about.
“So I'm more worried about his health ultimately, but the protocols were followed.”
Source: Sports
