NFL Determines Panthers Followed Concussion Protocol With Cam Newton

The NFL and NFLPA announced Wednesday that the investigation into whether or not the Panthers properly evaluated QB Cam Newton for a concussion has concluded and they determined Carolina did, in fact, follow the protocol.

This means that the Panthers will not receive any discipline.

Here’s the full release from the NFL:

The NFL and NFL Players Association have completed their review of the
application of the Concussion Protocol involving Carolina Panthers quarterback
Cam Newton during Carolina’s game against the New Orleans Saints on January 7.
This review encompassed game footage and medical reports, as well as public
statements and interviews with Mr. Newton and Coach Ron Rivera. Members of the
Panthers’ medical team and the independent medical personnel assigned to the
game, including all Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultants (UNCs) and the two ATC
Booth Spotters, were also interviewed.

As detailed below, the review established that there was no protocol violation. Mr.
Newton was properly evaluated for a concussion in the sideline medical tent and
did not sustain a concussion.

The review determined the following:

• Mr. Newton sustained an injury to his right eye.

o Mr. Newton sustained an abrasion over his right eye and foreign
matter in his eye as a result of the tackle.
o The fact that Mr. Newton sustained an eye injury is apparent from the
video footage of the tackle and was confirmed by all the medical
personnel that treated Mr. Newton on that day (including the UNC).
Mr. Newton told the parties conducting the review that he was taking
himself off the field due to his eye injury, which made it difficult for him
to see. Mr. Newton told the parties that he never experienced any
balance problems or other concussion symptoms.
o The review established that at no point during the incident did Mr.
Newton report or display any signs of a concussion or that would
require a locker room examination.

• When Mr. Newton took a knee as he was walking off the field, he did so at
the direction of multiple members of the Panthers sideline coaching and
medical staffs.

o Coach Rivera told the parties conducting this review that he instructed
the quarterback coach to tell Mr. Newton to take a knee if he required
medical treatment. That instruction was relayed by the coach to Mr.
Newton via coach-to-quarterback radio transmittal.
o At the same time as the coach was providing his instruction by radio,
Mr. Newton encountered a member of the Panthers athletic training
staff, who had walked onto the field to examine Mr. Newton. That
athletic trainer advised Mr. Newton to take a knee so he could
examine Mr. Newton’s right eye.
o Mr. Newton told the parties conducting this review that he took a knee
as he walked off the field because: (1) he was instructed to do so by
his coach and (2) he wanted to show the athletic trainer his eye injury
for the athletic trainer to remove the foreign matter. As outlined below,
he did not lose his balance or trip as he went to the turf.
o This sideline dialogue was confirmed during the review and can also
be seen on NFL Films video of the incident.

• Mr. Newton did not display “gross motor instability,” which would have
necessitated a locker room evaluation in the Concussion Protocol.

o Based on direct observations and review of the incident, the medical
professionals involved did not believe Mr. Newton demonstrated
“gross motor instability.” This includes the team ATCs, team
physicians, the game UNC, the “central” UNC who monitored the
game remotely, and the booth ATC spotters.
o This group had reviewed the new NFL policy on this point prior to the
game and was aware and observant about this policy. Each testified
that Mr. Newton’s gait and behavior after the hit did not meet this
definition.
o Mr. Newton rose to his feet immediately after the tackle and began
jogging to the sideline. He demonstrated no difficulty in standing or in
jogging towards the sideline.
o Mr. Newton suffered a knee injury earlier in the game, which was
documented by the club medical staff and is depicted on game film.
This injury limited the movement of his right knee in certain positions.
o As a result of his knee injury when Mr. Newton elected to “take a
knee” while coming off the field, he did so in an awkward fashion
because he could not bend his right knee normally.
o The doctors treating Mr. Newton during the incident under review
were aware of the prior right knee injury.
o An MRI of the knee the day after the game confirmed ligament and
cartilage damage and very extensive swelling in the knee.

• The medical team acted with an abundance of caution.

o Despite having only eye and knee symptoms, due to the nature of the
tackle and out of an abundance of caution the Panthers medical staff
opted to administer the NFL sideline concussion assessment in
addition to caring for the eye injury.
o The sideline concussion assessment included all the required
elements including video review of the hit by both team medical staff
and UNC. The concussion assessment was entirely normal.
o As a result of a normal concussion evaluation, and after consultation
by the team medical staff with all the independent personnel, Mr.
Newton was cleared to return to the game once his eye injury was
stabilized. At no time during the remainder of the game or after the
game did Mr. Newton have concussion symptoms.

We urge restraint among those who attempt to make medical diagnoses based
upon the broadcast video alone. Evaluation for a concussion requires not only an
analysis of the broadcast video but an examination performed by a medical team
familiar with the player and the relevant medical history. Review of this case
confirmed again the vigilance, professionalism and conservative approach that is
used by our NFL team medical staffs and independent medical providers. Each of
these medical professionals is committed to the best care of our NFL players and is
not influenced by game situation or the player’s role on the field. To suggest
otherwise is irresponsible and not supported by the medical facts.