Two of the most devastating punches in boxing and mma are the right cross and the uppercut. Current concussion theory suggests that rotational acceleration is one of the most significant contributors to concussive symptoms. If this is correct, one can understand why these types of blows to the jaw are so likely to cause a concussion.
Russ got absolutley popped on the chin on that blow from the crown of the defender’s helmet, and he absolutely should have been evaluated for a concussion. That kind of blow is the football equivalent of the uppercut, and is quite literally the most likely blow in football to cause a concussion. We can argue about how the protocol isn’t enforced uniformly, but Wilson absolutely belonged in the protocol based solely on the hit he took.
As soon as I saw the hit I said, hope he’s only held out for one play. The team broke the rules by not performing a proper evaluation, and I don’t expect the league to give us any leeway. I don’t blame Russ for insisting on getting back out here. I’m sure he knew that other players, like Sherman, were playing through injuries, but the team really screwed up here by letting him back on the field. They should know we aren’t getting any slack, and made sure hat he fully participated in the protocol.
In boxing, and to some degree MMA, the entire point is to either score points or give your opponent a masssive concussion, so the arguments about not pulling boxers after sustaining punches to the chin are ridiculous. Further, we are talking punches, with the momentum of a fist and arm (or leg and foot in kickboxing and MMA) compared to the momentum of the entire body of the NFL opponent hitting you in the chin.
That was a hit with a high probability of causing concussion, and Russ belonged in the concussion protocol.
ukeface:
