The NFL and the Eagles hope to run out the clock as to the Jalen Hurts situation, in the hopes that the media and fans will turn their attention to the next story that grabs our collective attention.
It may not be easy, because the issue has gotten the attention of Congress.
Via Tim McManus of ESPN, Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) has sent a letter to Commissioner Roger Goodell with specific questions about the manner in which the Eagles and the league handled Hurts’s blood clots:
“1. Does the NFL have a league-wide protocol for the detection, prevention, and treatment of [deep vein thrombosis] and [pulmonary embolism]? Which medical guidelines were consulted in developing this protocol?
“2. What standards and processes govern a player’s clearance to participate when a clot is suspected or diagnosed? Does the NFL have a league-wide Return-To-Participation Protocol?
“3. What education is provided to players, athletic trainers, and coaches on how to identify the signs and symptoms of DVT and PE?
“4. What specific measures has the League put in place to reduce blood clot risk, including, but not limited to, those associated with long flights?
“5. Will the League conduct a thorough review of the Eagles’ handling of this specific situation, including who cleared Mr. Hurts to play after staying awake overnight, and cleared subsequent air travel on a transatlantic flight back to the U.S. from London? If so, what is the timeline?”
Someone also should ask whether the league will implement a protocol for blood clots and other potentially serious health conditions, similar to the procedures utilized for diagnosing concussions and clearing players to return to play. The league has used an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant in such situations for 17 years, in order to counter the inherent biases of doctors hired by the various teams.
The NFL Players Association has requested a full investigation. Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, it has the absolute right to initiate one. Congress, through its oversight powers as to an industry that enjoys a federal broadcast antitrust exemption, also has the ability to investigate.
Given the league’s effort to sweep this one under the rug and move on, anyone with the power to force the NFL to answer for the Hurts situation absolutely should.
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