Patriots Praise Fallen Teammate, Decision to End Preseason Game: 'Proud Moment'
The New England Patriots' preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night ended in a way neither team expected, nor wanted.
Early in the fourth quarter, Patriots rookie cornerback Isaiah Bolden went for a routine tackle on a Packers receiver. Unfortunately, though, Bolden accidentally collided head-first with linebacker Calvin Munson, leaving him unconscious on the field. He remained down for several minutes as both teams gathered in prayer, and after he was taken off the field on a cart, officials announced that the game had been suspended.
Eerily reminiscent of the situation with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin in January, Bolden's injury was frightening for all involved, and especially his Patriots teammates. Patriots special teams star Matthew Slater, the team's longest tenured player, stressed that their focus is solely on the health of their teammate. Slater also praised coach Bill Belichick for taking initiative in suspending the game, a decision the team fully supports.
“I think our primary concern is Isaiah (Bolden), his well-being," Slater said. "Our entire team is praying for him and hoping things aren’t as serious as they seem.
"I really appreciate what coach Belichick did tonight. He took the initiative on (suspending play). That was one of the proudest moments I’ve had as a guy who’s played for him for now 16 years.”
Quarterback Mac Jones, whose relationship with Bolden dates to their time in high school, spoke about how scary the incident was while also sharing optimism about Bolden's condition going forward.
“That was definitely tough to see… we wanna be there for one another, wanna be there for him, his family, I’ve known him since High School… definitely one of my brothers… sounds like he’s doing a lot better,” Jones said.
Other Patriots players to show support for Bolden include receiver Kendrick Bourne and safety Jabrill Peppers. Both players expressed relief that Bolden showed movement in his extremities, while Bourne also praised the NFL for stopping the game when necessary.
Hailing from Tampa, Florida, Bolden was the final player the Patriots selected in April's draft. The Jackson State product was the only HBCU player selected in this year's draft, a fact that his college coach and NFL legend Deion Sanders was not pleased with. Before leaving Saturday's game, Bolden had three total tackles and one punt return for 22 yards while playing most defensive snaps.
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