NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL welcomes an investigation into Philadelphia Eagles’ handling of Jalen Hurts’ blood clots after the the players union demanded oneCommissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday.
Goodell said during his press conference at the end of NFL Fall Annual Meeting that Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s chief medical officer, followed the steps that were taken and added that the union had the right to request a review.
“Obviously there was a medical evaluation and I think our protocols were incredibly good,” Goodell said. “The protocols were followed. Our process is to make sure that’s the case, and our chief medical officer followed it, so we’re confident that what we saw in the protocols happened.”
Sills offered a passionate defense of the Eagles’ medical staff Tuesday. The NFL said officials were in contact with team doctors and trainers, as well as the Cleveland Clinic in London, where the Eagles played the Jaguars on Oct. 11.
AP AUDIO: Roger Goodell says NFL welcomes review of how Eagles handled Jalen Hurts’ blood clots
With quarterback Jalen Hurts finishing the season after blood clots traveled to his lungs, the NFLPA is now calling for a closer look at the Eagles’ handling of their star player. Correspondent Ben Raby reports.
League Executive Vice President Jeff Miller said officials had a good idea of how events unfolded, including Hurts’ evaluation at a hospital the day before the game. Miller disputed the report that Hurts was awake for more than 30 hours before playing against Jacksonville, saying the 28-year-old returned to the hotel and slept about seven or eight hours.
Hurts is on injured reserve and expected to miss the remainder of the season after a blood clot in his left calf traveled to his lungs. The Eagles and agent Nicole Lynn said Monday that Hurts had deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary embolisms.
His treatment involves blood thinners and Hurts will not be allowed to participate in football activities until he is discharged.
Goodell downplayed the role international travel might have played in the situation.
“The most important thing here is Jalen’s health, ultimately, and his future,” Goodell said. “He’s a wonderful young man: not just a great player, but someone we all care deeply about. I’m more worried about his health ultimately, but the protocols have been followed.”
Sills said Tuesday that the decision to allow someone with a blood clot to fly depends on several variables, including location, patient history and more.
“What I can tell you is that experts get a lot of opinions,” Sills said. “It’s not just about one doctor saying yes or no. You’re going to interview a panel of experts both within the team and outside the team to get the best judgment and experience regarding a particular disease.”
U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., wrote a letter to Goodell asking questions about how the situation was handled and requesting a briefing for her office and members of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Blunt Rochester said her husband died at age 52 after tearing an Achilles tendon while playing basketball and having blood clots travel to his heart and lungs.
“I am deeply relieved that Mr. Hurts’ story did not end like my husband’s,” she wrote in the letter dated Wednesday. “The influence and reach of the NFL provides a vital opportunity to turn this tragedy into a force for preventing lives lost, both in and outside of sports.”
Hurts was six games into his fifth season as Philadelphia’s starting quarterback. He was Super Bowl MVP when the Eagles won it all two years ago.
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