Senator Rochester asks NFL commissioner for details on Jalen Hurts' blood clot handling
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Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell requesting information on league protocols for blood clots after quarterback Jalen Hurts' recent medical case.
Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) has written to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell seeking clarification on how the league and the Philadelphia Eagles managed quarterback Jalen Hurts' recent blood clot issues. The letter lists five specific inquiries, including whether the NFL has a league-wide protocol for detecting, preventing and treating deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, what medical guidelines inform such protocols, and what standards govern a player’s clearance to return after a suspected clot.
The senator also asked what education is provided to players, trainers and coaches on recognizing clot symptoms, what measures are in place to reduce clot risk during long flights, and whether the league will review the Eagles’ decisions to clear Hurts for play and subsequent transatlantic travel, requesting a timeline for any investigation.
The NFL Players Association has called for a full investigation, citing its rights under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, while congressional oversight powers could also be invoked given the league’s broadcast antitrust exemption. Advocates argue that a standardized protocol for blood clots, similar to the concussion-diagnosis system that uses independent neuro-trauma consultants, is needed to address potential health risks.
"Someone also should ask whether the league will implement a protocol for blood clots and other potentially serious health conditions, similar to the procedures utilized for diagnosing concussions and clearing players to return to play," the letter states.
The request comes amid broader concerns that the NFL may be attempting to minimize attention to the issue.