Panthers Possibly Violated NFL Concussion Protocol with Cam Newton
The Carolina Panthers medical staff failed to evaluate Cam Newton after a hit to the head laid him out late in the Super Bowl rematch. Did the defending NFC champions violate the concussion protocol, or is someone else to blame?
As the clock ran down in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl 50 rematch between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers, MVP quarterback Cam Newton was hit by Bronco Darian Stewart in the head.
The play was a clear helmet-to-helmet hit, and left Newton on the ground, motionless.
Cam Newton head still ringing from this hit… #CARvsDEN https://t.co/gPwgXv3Izv
— (@3lone) September 9, 2016
As stated in the new concussion protocol implemented by the NFL and the Players Association, Cam Newton should have been removed from the game by either the Panthers or the refs to be evaluated for a head injury.
The league and Panthers should have looked for this when Newton was hit pic.twitter.com/NdmEthGL2s
— NFL Mocks Crew (@NFLMocks) September 9, 2016
The process that didn’t work tonight regarding concussions pic.twitter.com/AKrjmMkXHO
— NFL Mocks Crew (@NFLMocks) September 9, 2016
This paragraph from the NFL’s Concussion Protocol could be the nail in the coffin:
In the event that the Commissioner determines that the club’s medical team failed to follow the protocol due to competitive considerations, the Commissioner may require the club to forfeit draft pick(s) and impose additional fines exceeding those amounts set forth above.”
Considering the Panthers were driving down the field and down by just one point, the competitive consideration line is key.
Should the league find Carolina responsible for not implementing the concussion policy, the team could face heavy fines and the loss of draft picks.
On the other hand, the referees and league officials designated to spot possible concussed players failed to perform their duties. The play was a blatant helmet-to-helmet hit, which resulted in a roughing the passer penalty against Denver. While the penalty was offset by Newton being charged with intentional grounding, either a ref or spotter should have pulled Cam off the field to be evaluated.
In a high-profile game, the NFL does not want the issue of concussions to dominate the headlines of the opening weekend. Additionally, they don’t want to admit their referees or spotters missed one of the biggest implementations to the concussion protocol this season.
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