Wisconsin’s Green Bay The Patriots’ preseason game against the Packers on Saturday night was prematurely halted when rookie cornerback Isaiah Bolden had to be taken off the field on a stretcher because of a head injury.
“All of us are praying for Isaiah,” head coach Bill Belichick said.
With little over ten minutes left in the fourth quarter, Malik Heath was found by Packers backup quarterback Sean Clifford for a seven-yard gain from New England’s 25-yard line. While Heath was battling for yards, Patriots linebacker Calvin Munson tried to make a tackle, but he struck Bolden in the head.
Heath said, “I was biased.” “I’m trying to be the leader. I ducked my head and they struck each other. When I got up, I was unaware that he was injured. I was going to celebrate by going to the sidelines. I had no idea he was hurt. It was terrifying.
Bolden lay motionless on the ground as medical staff rushed onto the field. The Patriots players took a knee, and for a considerable amount of time, a group of trainers gathered around him. Bolden was rendered immobile, and his helmet was secured to the board and he was placed on a stretcher.
The Patriots said Bolden was able to feel in all of his extremities, so he was sent to a local hospital for more tests and observation. He will be held overnight at the hospital, according to the team, and they will deliver the next report by 8 a.m. on Sunday.
Bolden’s father was able to speak with head trainer Jim Whalen.
When the stretcher was lowered onto the wagon, the New England sideline was deserted. Every player, staff member, and coach stood or knelt on the field, while some players from the Packers did the same on the opposing side. The Lambeau Field crowd gave the cart a standing ovation as it slowly moved away.
Following that, an announcement was broadcast over the speakers, and the Patriots and Packers gathered at middle alongside the referees. Belichick and veteran Patriots captain Matthew Slater discussed with Packers coach Matt LaFleur, running back Aaron Jones, and cornerback Rasul Douglas before reaching a mutual agreement.
The Patriots were up 21–17 when the game was called. The Patriots players praised their coach, while Belichick attributed the decision to the league.
“I really appreciate what coach Belichick did tonight,” Slater said. It was he who took the lead on it. Folks, this isn’t the AFC title. We are not trying to set new records. It’s the second practice of the season. Many males are affected by that type of damage in different ways. It’s clear that what happened startled our group.
“I believe Coach made the appropriate choice. He showed amazing leadership in such situation. As someone who has now played for him for 16 years, I have to admit, that was one of my proudest moments. Without uncertainty, there was
The incidents of Saturday night brought up memories of Damar Hamlin’s collapse in January during a regular-season game for the Buffalo Bills.
Upon the Patriots’ arrival back to Lambeau Field, Slater gave a speech to the players emphasizing the value of never taking anything for granted.