The effectiveness of the NFL’s concussion protocol is being questioned following Cam Newton’s scary moment at the weekend.
Carolina Panthers suffered a 31-26 wildcard play-off loss to New Orleans Saints on Sunday and everyone is talking about what happened to Cam Newton.
The Panthers quarterback was on the receiving end of a thunderous hit by defensive tackle David Onyemata. After spinning out of a tackle, Newton rose to his feet just in time to be creased in the head by the Saints player.
https://twitter.com/360FFB/status/950159332209037312
After the tackle, Newton was slow to get back onto his feet. Once he got back standing, he began making his way over to the sideline.
However, before he reached his targeted destination, he dropped to the ground.
He then underwent a concussion test on the sideline. He was swiftly cleared and returned to the game to throw a 56-yard touchdown pass.
This "Cam Newton's visor poked him in the eye" is the greatest storyline in the history of sports. And I'm saying that as a former WWE wrestler. Watch the video, you don't collapse after that him because you need ice on your face. It's a #concussion. pic.twitter.com/fgsMiai3et
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) January 8, 2018
The controversy arises from the NFL recently announcing it would ‘require a locker room concussion evaluation for all players demonstrating gross or sustained vertical instability (e.g., stumbling or falling to the ground when trying to stand).”
After the game, Newton claimed that he suffered a minor eye injury as opposed to a concussion, which caused him to collapse on the field.
“It wasn’t my head, it was my eye. My helmet came down low enough over my eyelid and got pressed by the player’s stomach, I believe. I thought somebody had stuck their finger in my eye, but I have my visor so that couldn’t happen.”
The NFL said it was in contact with the Panthers medical staff.
