New England Patriots wide receiver Nelson Agholor was seen on camera to be pleading with the game officials after recognising that his teammate Davante Parker looked to be concussed and attempted to continue playing in Monday night's game with the Arizona Cardinals.
In the first half of the win over the Cardinals, Parker took a big hit after a catch to give the offense a first down, as they drove down the field. After the play, Parker got up and appeared to be wobbly on his feet - showing a number of concussion symptoms.
However, the referee's did not stop the play, and allowed the drive to continue, before teammate Agholor was seen waving down the officials in an attempt to stop the play and for Parker to be evaluated.
The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has initiated an inquiry into the situation as to why the game was not stopped after Parker had shown symptoms of a concussion after being hit in the head, following a catch in the middle of the field with Antonio Hamilton making the tackle.
The following day, Parker criticised the NFL, when he wrote: "Get on yalls f---in jobs @NFL," and thanked Agholor for being "aware of the situation."
The Patriots receiver will now be in concussion protocol and is unlikely to feature in their game this weekend.
This is now the second incident this season that the NFLPA has initiated an inquiry after Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa looked to have been concussed in a win over the Buffalo Bills, before he returned to the field.
Four days later, Tagovailoa played in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, when he suffered another concussion and went into the 'fencing response' - an unnatural position of the arms following a concussion.
The quarterback was hospitalised from the incident, with a neuroscientist telling him to retire from the sport immediately.
Speaking to TMZ Sports, Dr Bennet Omalu said: "If you love your life, if you love your family, you love your kids -- if you have kids -- it's time to gallantly walk away. Go find something else to do." Meanwhile, fellow neuroscientist, Chris Nowinski, had tweeted before the game: "If he has a second concussion that destroys his season or career, everyone involved will be sued & should lose their jobs, coaches included. We all saw it, even they must know this isn't right."
And after the concussion sadly happened, he added: "This is a disaster. Pray for Tua. Fire the medical staffs and coaches. I predicted this and I hate that I am right. Two concussions in 5 days can kill someone. This can end careers. How are we so stupid in 2022."
