With 10:26 left in the game between the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots, fellow teammates Isaiah Bolden and Calvin Munson went head-to-head while attempting to tackle Packers’ receiver Malik Heath on a seven-yard slant. After lying motionless, coach Belichick and LaFleur agreed to concede the game. Bolden was placed on the backboard and carted off the field. Both sides watched on with tears in their eyes and a look of concern on their face as he was transported to the Aurora Bay Medical Center in Green Bay.
An Outpour of Support from the Green Bay Packers Locker Room
According to Packers.com, WR Malik Heath had this to say about the unfortunate situation:
“I know him, so I didn’t want to finish. I felt bad, too,” said Heath, who said he planned to reach out to Bolden afterward. “It was a good thing we didn’t finish it. It was scary, too. That could’ve happened to me on the hit.”
Packer LB Preston Smith brought up Damar Hamiln’s injury and confessed that it was “kind of hard to witness” in person what happened to Bolden.
QB Sean Clifford was left stunned and lost for words but said:
“First and foremost, you never want to see that happen. I’m praying for him,” Clifford said. “This is a physical game played by a lot of people who give it their all. When that happens, it’s just tough. It’s part of the game and it’s sad that it happened today but really again praying for him.”
Fellow teammate Matt Judon Tweeted this:
Tell someone you love em never know
— Matthew Judon (@man_dammn) August 20, 2023
Relief and Optimism
It is being reported that Bolden is back with the team and is on his way back to Foxborough, Mass. He is expected to make a full recovery and took to social media to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.
Appreciate the prayers more excited to be back with the guys
— I.B (@isaiahbolden23) August 20, 2023
The Patriots made the following announcement in lieu of what happened:
Update on the condition of Patriots cornerback Isaiah Bolden: https://t.co/THdI0P2F7K
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 20, 2023
From all of us at Wisconsin Sports Heroics, we wish Isaiah Bolden a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him on the field soon. Football is a brutal sport, and injuries happen, but it is something players, fans, or anyone, for that matter, never want to see. We want to applaud both the Packers and Patriots organizations for their quick response and show of sportsmanship.
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