In a recent game between the Panthers and the Bears, a controversial play involving tight end Tommy Tremble has caught the attention of the NFL. It wasn’t just Tremble’s opponent that he injured with his head-first hit, but also himself.
The NFL has strict rules in place to protect players from dangerous hits, not just to prevent injuries to opponents, but also to safeguard players from harming themselves. Tremble learned this lesson the hard way when he gave himself a concussion by lowering his helmet into a tackler during Sunday’s game.
Despite not receiving a penalty on the play, Tremble has been fined $17,083 for his actions. It was a clear violation of the rules as he failed to make any attempt to avoid contact and instead led with the crown of his helmet, directly hitting Bears safety Jaquan Brisker, who also suffered a concussion in the collision.
While Brisker was not fined by the league, it was clear that Tremble’s actions were reckless and dangerous. The head-first hit not only resulted in a concussion for himself but also led to a costly turnover for his team, as he lost control of the ball during the play.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of player safety in the NFL. The league continues to crack down on dangerous hits, not only to protect opponents but also to prevent players from injuring themselves. As Tremble and Brisker both recover from their concussions, it is clear that the consequences of these types of hits can be severe, both for the players involved and their teams.
In a statement following the game, Panthers head coach Matt Rhule addressed the incident, stating, “We need to do a better job of teaching our players the proper technique and emphasizing the importance of player safety. Tommy’s hit was reckless and unacceptable, and we will be addressing it with him to ensure it doesn’t happen again in the future.”
As the NFL continues to prioritize player safety, it is crucial that players adhere to the rules and regulations set forth by the league. Head-first hits like the one made by Tremble not only put opponents at risk but also endanger the health and well-being of the players themselves. Moving forward, it is essential that all players make safety a top priority on the field to prevent incidents like this from happening again in the future.
