The NFL is being taken to task because Cam Newton was not put in the concussion protocol during the Panthers’ season-opening loss to the Broncos despite taking multiple hard hits to the head.
Newton said he was asked some questions after Thursday night’s game, “but nothing too serious." Asked by reporters what questions were posed to him, Newton responded, "I don't know, there's too much going through my head right now for me to remember what happened."
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The NFL this offseason implemented a provision for league- and NFLPA-appointed representatives to make sure players would enter the concussion protocol when situations call for it. That never happened on Thursday with Newton, who, by most counts, took at least four shots to the head.
After the game, a Panthers spokesperson, per the Charlotte Observer’s Jonathan Jones, said Newton was "getting some treatment." While the quarterback’s postgame press conference was delayed, Sporting News’ Alex Marvez reported that Newton "said he was asked questions in concussion protocol after the game and passed. Wouldn't be allowed to speak to media otherwise."
The reaction to the league’s handling of the situation is nearly unanimous.
MARVEZ: NFL keeping its head in the clouds after hits on Newton
A headline on the front page of the Charlotte Observer reads: "No in-game concussion check for Cam Newton? That’s unfathomable."
One on ESPN.com says, "Cam Newton's night ran counter to NFL push on safety."
Under the headline "NFL fails concussion test in way it handled Cam Newton," Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wetzel writes, "The hit to Newton’s head, and the ensuing laying out of a 6-foot-5, 245-pounder should’ve been enough for someone to at least check on him. There was enough smoke there to look for a fire."
And here’s just a sampling of reactions from the Twitterverse:
The NFL has a concussion protocol unless it’s an important moment
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) September 9, 2016
How is Cam staying in?
— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) September 9, 2016
No concussion protocol for Cam? Yeah that new system works really well.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 9, 2016
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The NFL responded to the criticism Friday morning in a statement to ESPN that read:
"There was communication between medical personnel on the Carolina sideline, including the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant, and the two independent certified athletic trainer spotters in the booth. During stoppage in play while on-field officials were in the process of administrating penalties, the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant and team physician requested video from the spotters and reviewed the play. They concluded there were no indications of a concussion that would require further evaluation and the removal of the player from the game."