Mike Reiss, ESPN Team of workers Essayist
The New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers had their preseason recreation Saturday evening ended early within the fourth quarter then rookie Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden absorbed a accident from a teammate that resulted in him being immobilized, put on a stretcher and carted off the grassland.
The Patriots mentioned Bolden “had feeling in all his extremities, but has been taken to a local hospital for further tests and observation.”
“We’re all saying a prayer for Isaiah,” Patriots educator Invoice Belichick mentioned. “Appreciate the way the league handled it. I think that was the right thing to do.”
With 10:29 residue within the fourth quarter, referee John Hussey introduced to the public at Lambeau Ground: “At the agreement of both head coaches and team leadership, we have elected to suspend play for the evening. The game is officially over.”
Belichick mentioned the shock put issues in viewpoint, including: “We’re all very fortunate.”
The Patriots, who had practiced with the Packers on Wednesday and Thursday in exit of the sport, had been chief 21-17 on the week.
Bolden used to be masking a slant go towards the interior a part of the grassland and collided with teammate Calvin Munson. He remained ailing at the field, and as clinical team of workers arrived, all of the Patriots crew in the end amassed at the grassland on one knee within sight.
Captain Matthew Slater, the crew’s longest-tenured participant, led gamers in a devotion. Slater used to be upcoming perceptible talking with Belichick and LaFleur at the grassland.
Patriots gamers then the sport mentioned the scene reminded them of the Damar Hamlin incident terminating season, when the Buffalo Expenses cornerback suffered a cardiac arrest at the grassland throughout Monday Evening Soccer.
“Our primary concern is Isaiah, his well-being, and our whole team is praying for him,” Slater mentioned. “Just hoping that things aren’t as serious as they seem.”
The 23-year-old Bolden used to be decided on within the 7th spherical out of Jackson Shape, the one participant drafted from an HBCU this 12 months. In 2021, he led the community (each FBS and FCS) in kickoff go back moderate at 36.6 according to attend and fasten for the FCS top with two kickoff returns for touchdowns.
“He’s been a joy to be around,” Slater mentioned of Bolden. “He’s a young man with a lot of talent, always has a smile on his face, is always positive, is always bringing great energy and effort to practice … All the guys love him. He’s fit into our locker room seamlessly.”
