Kansas City Chiefs Say Jamaal Charles Has No Concussion Symptoms
By Phil Watson
The Kansas City Chiefs said Wednesday that Jamaal Charles does not show concussion symptoms, a day after the NFL star said he saw “light bulbs” following a hit Sunday.
According to the Kansas City Chiefs, running back Jamaal Charles does not have concussion symptoms.
The Associated Press reported that the team made that announcement after putting Charles through a battery of tests.
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That comes a day after Charles told a radio show that he saw “light bulbs” after a violent collision with San Diego’s Brandon Flowers during Sunday’s win over the
.
Charles dove into the end zone and was met by Flowers, who left the game with a concussion and did not return.
Charles popped up and left the field and was met by trainers, but remained in the game.
Charles told ESPN Radio Tuesday that he saw “light bulbs around my eyes” later and deliberately avoided going through the league’s concussion protocol.
"“It wasn’t a concussion,” Charles said. “If it was a concussion, I wouldn’t remember the plays or remember none of my teammates’ names or remember what sideline to go to. I definitely remember everything. It was just a huge hit.”"
That attitude from players is perhaps the NFL’s biggest challenge in diagnosing and treating concussions, but coach Andy Reid said he believes most players will tell the truth in those situations.
"“These guys are pretty honest guys,” Reid said."
The team also plans to monitor Charles for a couple of days.
The Chiefs brought Charles in for tests Tuesday night after learning of the interview, but head trainer Rick Burkholder told the AP that the player passed all of the tests.
"“When he got hit, I obviously checked with him. I know coach talked to him a bit there. I came back and consulted with the team physician, he was absolutely asymptomatic, wasn’t complaining about anything … obviously, we check on those guys as they come off the field almost every series. I know coach spent time with him on the plane after the game.”"
Concussions continue to be a huge story line in the NFL, with lawsuits filed against the league alleging the mishandling of head injuries and with brain injuries being linked to the suicides of several former players.
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