The Green Bay Packers officially lost 21-17 to the New England Patriots Saturday Night at Lambeau Field. The game was suspended with 10:29 left to play in the fourth quarter. The game was suspended after both team head coaches mutually agreed to call the game after Patriots seventh-round pick Isaiah Bolden was carted off the field after being down for several minutes.
Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots agree to end the game
Isaiah Bolden was drafted in the seventh round out of Jackson State University by the New England Patriots. He was injured after running into his teammate as they tried to make a play on a ball intended for Green Bay Packers wide receiver Malik Heath. Bolden went down and trainers rushed onto the field and play was stopped as they checked on him.
Several minutes passed and eventually, the backboard came out and he was carted off the field on his back. Players from both sides were seen taking a knee as they watched trainers look at Bolden. Last season the NFL experienced an unprecedented situation when Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field and the game was suspended. Since then the climate of the NFL has changed and there is even more caution than before when it comes to player safety.
Packers and Patriots on a knee as the cart and backboard come out for New England CB Isaiah Bolden. pic.twitter.com/VkHfrly9Cc
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 20, 2023
Matt LaFleur and Bill Belichick spoke an ultimately decided to call the game early, officially resulting in a New England Patriots win over the Green Bay Packers. Matt LaFleur spoke on the situation and decision after the game.
“Obviously a very scary ending to the game right there,” said LaFleur. “Thoughts and prayers to Isaiah Bolden and his family. It’s a scary situation, one that you never want to see in our game. I thought it was in the best interest of both teams. Coach Belichick and I talked on the field to take the action that we took. There’s lots of good work that we’ve had over the last couple of days, but it’s hard to think about much of that, just hope that young man is going to be okay.”
Matt LaFleur referenced the fact that both coaches came together and made a decision they felt would best handle the situation. It is hard to imagine either side wanting to continue playing after witnessing a situation like the one that played out on Lambeau Field.
Isaiah Bolden was taken to a local hospital for further testing and monitoring, but he had movement in all his extremities according to the New England Patriots media relations.
Players also weighed in on the decision made by both head coaches.
“Honestly that was one of the proudest moments I’ve had as a guy who’s played for him for 16 years. There was no hesitation,” Matthew Slater, a captain for the New England Patriots, said about Bill Belichick.
“It’s a scary situation. We don’t know what’s going on, if he’s going to be okay or not,” said Jordan Love. “We’ve heard that he’s in stable condition and is going to the hospital now. It’s just a scary situation, not knowing what’s going on. Thoughts and prayers are with him. The way they kind of ended the game, I think it was the right decision.”
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