NFL's latest decision on hit that injured Demario Douglas could have scary impact across the league
This past week, the NFL made one decision that could make the game even more dangerous for some players. In last Sunday's matchup between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots, Cam Brown delivered a brutal and violent hit on Demario Douglas while he was returning a punt. The Giants linebacker hit Douglas in […]
This past week, the NFL made one decision that could make the game even more dangerous for some players.
In last Sunday's matchup between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots, Cam Brown delivered a brutal and violent hit on Demario Douglas while he was returning a punt. The Giants linebacker hit Douglas in the facemask in a clothesline fashion, resulting in the rookie's head and neck snapping back.
No penalty was initially called on this play, and Patriots players were furious after the game. They all expected a fine to be handed down, but the NFL decided to do nothing.
Douglas remained down after the play and trainers rushed over to him. He got up and was able to walk off on his own, but was ruled out for the game with a head injury.
Jabrill Peppers was very upset on the field after this hit took place, and A to Z Sports spoke with the Patriots safety after the game. He did not hold back.
"He grabbed his whole helmet. They preach all this player safety sh** and then when we have a play like that, no flag, no penalty, nothing," Peppers said. "Nothin happens to the referee, but a guy who's playing hard and delivers a clean hit, you try to fine them. But a guy grabs a guy by his whole helmet and it knocks him out of the game, no flag, no nothing."
"That's terrible. That's pitiful," he added. "That was some bullsh**."
DeVante Parker also spoke with reporters about this play and was animated when coming to the defense of his fellow receiver.
"The refs need to do something about that," Parker said. "They need to either throw a flag or something. (Brown) better get fined or something. This ain’t no (expletive) wrestling.”
Douglas told A to Z Sports after the game that preliminary tests showed he did not have a concussion, but he was still placed in concussion protocol and has not practiced this past week while the team has been preparing to play the Los Angeles Chargers. He has already been ruled out for Sunday's game.
What Impact Could This Have?
The hit that Douglas was injured on was a dangerous one. And when the officials decided not to throw a flag, everyone was outraged. But they also expected the NFL to take action.
Instead everyone was left disappointed.
This season, the officials have made some horrible calls that have altered the outcome of the game. It is all said to be in an effort to protect their players. And with that, some large fines have been handed out too.
However, the decision to not fine Brown after such a violent hit doesn't show that they are trying to protect their players. And with that, it could make them think that trying to tackle players in that manner is acceptable.
If players start doing this more often because the officials won't throw a flag and the league won't punish them after, there could be an increase in concussions and serious injuries.
Also, Mack Wilson Sr. was fined for a similar hit, albeit on that was less dangerous, after the Patriots Week 11 game against the Indianapolis Colts.
So in short: this decision just doesn't make sense.
