If you haven’t heard by now, the NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles are having quite possibly the biggest nightmare they could possibly fathom. Jalen Hurts was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and will miss the remainder of the season due to multiple blood cuts in his lungs.
When I first read the report, my reaction was likely similar to most people. How did this happen? Why did this happen?
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For those who have followed Hurts for his career, he prides himself in how well he takes care of his body. If there were any issues with his body that were brought to his attention, history has shown us Hurts would certainly take the necessary precautions to remedy the situation.
However, what the Eagles allowed to happen on October, 11 in London was irresponsible and downright malpractice.
Hurts played against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a blood clot in his calf. He was cleared by team doctors as well as doctors in London.
Here’s the statement from the Eagles that gives a timeline of the events that led to Hurts’ season-ending status:
“On October 8th Jalen Hurts visited the training room after practice requesting treatment for his calf. “He informed the medical staff he had been cleated during the Rams game on October 4th. This was his first treatment session for the calf injury following the game, after having practiced in full both Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, Jalen received treatment, practiced in full, and was added to the practice report.
Out of an abundance of caution, an ultrasound was performed on Saturday following the team’s flight to London and walkthrough. The ultrasound revealed a superficial blood clot. Our medical staff and doctors in London reviewed the results and concluded that activity and mobility were important and that Jalen could safely play. Doctors recommended a follow-up ultrasound within 72 hours of the game and the return flight to Philadelphia.
On Wednesday night, a follow-up ultrasound revealed movement in the small blood clot. Jalen will be out for Sunday’s game vs. the Panthers as we determine the appropriate course of treatment. His health and safety are our highest priority.”
On Monday, groundbreaking news revealed that Hurts would miss the rest of the season due to the blood clots spreading to his lungs. The stench that reeks from this story is so bad even a skunk would notice it.
Here’s my issue. What if Jalen Hurts died that Sunday?
Imagine watching this game in person or on TV. Hurts lines up to take a snap, drops back to pass, avoids a pass rusher, rolls to his right, avoids another tackler, takes off running and then BOOM — cardiac arrest.
Seems dramatic?
No. We’ve already seen a player lying on the field after a cardiac arrest episode live in a game. Just over three years ago, Buffalo Bills safety, Damar Hamlin’s heartbeat was restored on the field after making a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hamlin was on the ground motionless for roughly 20 minutes as medical personnel performed CPR and administered AED treatment.
The players looked on with tears in their eyes watching their fellow brethren lay lifeless on the ground. Stakeholders present visibly concerned with heads bowed praying for a miracle as the entire sports world waited in the balance.
Do you remember? January 2, 2023. The sports world stood still for what felt like an eternity. Praying, wishing, hoping — that Hamlin would be OK. Is this what the Eagles and the NFL wanted to repeat? Could you imagine, a player as beloved as Hurts? A Super Bowl champion and MVP, lying on the field unresponsive in the name of playing a game?
Well, thankfully that didn’t happen.
But, there’s still so many unanswered questions. In what world is it remotely OK to knowingly put a human being on a plane for eight hours, advise them to not sleep for 36 hours, and then go play a full contact sport right after?
This is my problem. Who made the call to allow this to happen? Was Jalen’s long-term health ever considered, or was beating the Jaguars in London more important?
The Eagles and the NFL failed Jalen Hurts. The perception of wanting to showcase your star on the global stage in a new market appears to supersede the best interest of the individual.
These next 72 hours will be excruciating for Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, GM Howie Roseman, and any individual who had direct knowledge of the significance of Hurts’ diagnosis.
It’s about to get real ugly and very real, really soon.
