'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Fans were insistent that Roger Goodell was trying to help Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs after damage to the Kansas City quarterback's helmet was not attended to the way it is generally done. The referees noticed that the quarterback's helmet was not in playing condition and stopped the clock.
Normally, in such circumstances, since the hit was in the head area, the injured player should have gone out according to concussion protocol. Instead, they allowed him to change the helmet, while the clock was stopped, which violated the rule that a timeout be charged for an equipment change.
It was out of the ordinary and fans thought that it was because Goodell wanted the Chiefs to progress so that Mahomes, widely considered the face of the league, could remain featured on programs.
Fans believe Roger Goodell is being partial to Patrick Mahomes for not sending him to concussion protocol
Fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to blast the NFL commissioner for his perceived preference for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs over the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Wildcard playoff game. Here are some of the reactions on the platform.
Tua Tagovailoa a good reminder why concussion protocol should be enforced aggressively
There might be a section of the fans who are blaming Roger Goodell because they wanted the Dolphins to win the game and removing Patrick Mahomes from the field would have helped in that. However, concussion protocol is no laughing matter. Any contact that can shatter a helmet is concerning.
Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa knows this only too well. Just last season, he was allowed to come back and play against the Cincinnati Bengals after a head injury in the previous game. He was not properly evaluated and there was a firestorm of criticism. There were even discussions that he would not be able to carry on with his NFL career.
Note: Graphic content below, viewer discretion is advised
Knowing that, it was extremely surprising that Patrick Mahomes was not removed from the game. At the minimum, they should have enforced a mandatory timeout for changing the equipment so that it would have forced Kansas City to either forfeit it or bring out their player to check him more closely and ensure he was not concussed.
