Players for the Packers and Patriots respond to the game’s suspension following Isaiah Bolden’s injury
Green Bay, Wisconsin —Late on Saturday night, as medical staff was ready to put New England cornerback Isaiah Bolden on a stretcher, players from the Packers and Patriots knelt on the field.
Early in the fourth quarter, Bolden—a rookie selected in the seventh round out of Jackson State—and defender Calvin Munson collided head-on while trying to tackle Packers wide receiver Malcolm Heath.
With 10:29 left in the game and the Patriots leading, 21-17, with the Packers at New England’s 18-yard line, the sides mutually agreed to suspend the game after protracted discussion between Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, head coach Matt LaFleur of the Packers, Patriots captain Matthew Slater, and officials during the play stoppage.The suspension of the game also required approval from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Belichick proposed postponing the game, saying, “The broader picture overrode the game.” “Isaiah is being prayed for by all of us. I think the league did a great job handling it. I believe that was the correct course of action.
Following their announcement immediately after the game that cornerback Isaiah Bolden has feeling in all of his extremities, the Patriots released their second statement following the game, saying, “Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden will be detained overnight at a nearby hospital in Green Bay for observation.” We intend to offer an update on his status by Sunday at 8 a.m. to establish expectations.
That was undoubtedly a pretty spooky way to conclude the game, according to LaFleur. Isaiah Bolden and his family are in our thoughts and prayers. You never wish to see that frightful scenario in our game. It seems like the best course of action for both teams. On the field, Coach Belichick and I had a conversation about the move we took. We’ve done a lot of excellent work over the past few days, but it’s difficult to focus on much of it. I only hope the young man will be alright.
Just before the game was ruled, LaFleur stepped next to Belichick and addressed the Patriots squad.
LaFleur remarked, “It was a very chippy week, all in all,” alluding to the several altercations that occurred during the joint practice on Thursday and some sparring before the game on Saturday. “It became a little more intense throughout the pregame. I just wanted to make sure that there wouldn’t be any issues following the game. Let’s go and get home, showing each other the respect we deserve.
Bolden is really known to Heath, the undrafted rookie for the Packers. Bolden went to Jackson State, and Heath is from Jackson, Mississippi; she most recently attended Ole Miss. They received their NFL Scouting Combine training at the same location. While the two head coaches were debating whether to continue with play, LaFleur brought Heath over to him and Belichick.
Heath remarked, “I didn’t want to finish because I know him.” “I also had negative emotions. It was fortunate that we did not complete it. It was also terrifying. I might have experienced that on the impact. .. Right now, I’m depressed. However, I’m going to check to see whether he’s straight by giving him a call, getting in contact with him, and seeing to it.
“Everyone adores him”: Isaiah Bolden, an injured rookie for the Patriots, converted teammates into admirers
The majority of the Packers’ sideline, including quarterback Jordan Love, was in the dark about the specifics of the delay.
Love remarked, “I’ve never been a part of a circumstance like that.” It’s an unsettling scenario. You have no idea what’s happening or if he will make it or not. It’s frightening, but from what we’ve heard, he’s in stable condition and is currently headed to the hospital. I believe the way the game was terminated was the appropriate one, even though nobody knows what’s going on. Prayers and thoughts are with him. Going back to the Damar Hamlin event from last year, it’s just a horrible occurrence that you don’t want to see happen, and everyone is just afraid after that, I feel like. You never want to see it happen.
Following the impact, Bolden laid motionless on the field, shocking Packers edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare.
“It’s one of those moments when you sort of get the goosebumps seeing someone on the football field kind of pretty much motionless,” Enagbare remarked. “I think it’s obviously for the best that the game finished the way it did, but it’s never a good indication. Man, I know I was a little shaken up. I’m sure the other guys had similar thoughts.
Although veteran edge rusher Preston Smith of the Packers witnessed the incident involving Buffalo Bills player Hamlin during Monday Night Football’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals last season—which was the final NFL game to be suspended—he had never experienced anything like in his eight years in the league.
That was unique, according to Smith. “That was the initial instance. Simply said, I thought it was unusual how a game concluded. Those wounds are quite frightening. Seeing it with your own eyes is a little difficult. It’s something I never imagined I would take part in, but here I am.
But in a high school game, Packers running back AJ Dillon was involved in an early game call due to an opponent’s injury (the player ultimately proved to be OK).
“Everyone is human at the end of the day,” Dillon remarked. “You never want to see someone wounded, so I believe it’s reasonable to argue that everyone backs off when they witness that. But I thought it was very fascinating to watch the emergency personnel go out there, from both sides. They ensured he was in the best possible condition by being vigilant. I’m hoping he can return as soon as possible to the field.
As a player who has been with the Patriots for 16 years, Slater, an elite special teamer, called Belichick’s proposal to postpone the preseason game “one of the proudest experiences I’ve had.”
Patriots safety Jarlen Mills and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne compared what transpired with their colleague to the events surrounding Hamlin’s incident from the previous season. Mills praised the NFL for showing empathy in light of yet another terrifying situation by permitting the game to be canceled.
According to Bourne, “They indicated he was reacting fairly well and he was moving.” His neck was hurting a little bit. It appeared to be head-to-head, as if they were in a pile. In those circumstances, you can never be sure. When you’re merely attempting to play with decent technique, folks will occasionally droop their heads. It’s just football, everybody. It’s all just a part of the fun. Hearing that he’s alright in that way was comforting. I mentioned Damar. That was rather harsh. It wasn’t too bad, so hearing the good news was encouraging. Hopefully, while he’s in the hospital, everything improves even more.
