On-field injuries in a game are part and parcel of almost every sport. Most of them are easily brushed off by the players, and they continue playing. However, sometimes medical intervention is needed.
Most of the time, a bandage or some pain relief spray gets the player up and running, but sometimes the case becomes so severe that the match must be suspended due to how gruesome the situation is. The same happened at the Patriots game.
The recent preseason game between the Patriots and the Packers got suspended. It’s because New England’s Isaiah Bolden had to be carted off in a stretcher after colliding with teammate Calvin Munson while trying to tackle Green Bay’s, Malik Heath. The Patriots coach, Belichick, called the game to be suspended while captain Matthew Slater led a prayer for Bolden.
Why Was The Patriots Game Suspended?
The preseason game between the Packers and the Patriots was going well until Isaiah Bolden of New England had to be carted off after getting into a nasty collision with teammate Calvin Munson. After the collision, Bolden was seen motionless on the field.
The Patriots then gathered on the field, and captain Matthew Slater led the entire team to pray for Bolden as he was getting stabilized. The collision wasn’t intentional, as Bolden was trying to tackle Malik Heath of Green Bay in the fourth quarter and accidentally collided with Munson.
Due to the dire circumstances and uncertainty over Isaiah Bolden’s health, the Packers and the Patriots agreed to suspend the match. Referee John Hussey announced it. Before getting called off, New England was leading by 21-17, and there was 10:29 left in the court quarter.
Every viewer, as well as the coaches and players who were present, agreed that it was the right thing to do because the players’ safety always comes first. Fans hope to get continuous updates regarding Bolden’s situation and consequent recovery.
The Patriots announced a little after the game that he had feeling in his extremities but was still being taken to the hospital to run further tests. Bolden was selected by New England as a seventh-round pick right out of Jackson State.
Matthew Slater, the Patriots Captain, applauded coach Belichick for his decision to suspend the game after Bolden got seriously injured. CBS News reported him saying:
“I really appreciate what coach Belichick did tonight. He took the initiative on that. This is not the AFC Championship; we’re not playing for a record. This is preseason game No. 2, and to have an injury like that, it affects a lot of guys differently. Clearly, our team was shaken by what happened, and our coach made the right decision. That was tremendous leadership by him. Honestly, that was one of the proudest moments I’ve had for a guy who has played for him for 16 years. There was no hesitation, and I appreciate the coach for standing with our man. It was the right call in the situation.”
Coach Belichick said at the Green Bay podium that he decided to call off the game because Bolden’s safety was more significant than a preseason game. He also thanked the league for handling the situation correctly.
The Patriots will have a week of joint practice sessions with the Titans in Tennessee right before both end their preseason games the following Friday night.
Updates on Bolden’s situation are awaited.
What are your thoughts on the decision of Patriots coach Belichick to call off the match against the Packers?
Do you think he was right to do so because it was only a preseason game? Or should he have let the match go on?
Let us know in the comments below.
Source: CBS News