A former NASCAR driver seemed to have fallen on the wrong side of things after fans slammed his decision to praise NFL for changing its protocols related to concussion quicker than NASCAR did anything about their cars.
Sadler had sent out a tweet saying, “I think it’s pretty cool that the NFL is making changes to protocols for concussions so quick after a situation a few weeks ago.. while other sports just want to do lip service but not really protect their athletes…”
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NFL recently updated their protocols related to players suffering from concussion injuries by adding the terminology, “ataxia” as a symptom. The new protocol further stated that any player who showcases the symptoms of ataxia will not be allowed to go back to the game. Ataxia has been described as an abnormality of balance/stability, motor coordination, or dysfunctional speech caused by a neurological issue. The change was triggered after the horrific injury suffered by the Miami Dolphins quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa.
NASCAR fans bash Elliott Sadler for his comments
Sadler’s comments were not well received by NASCAR fans and only got him more and more hate.
Fans stated that it was extremely hard for NASCAR to implement safety measures that quick since the organization would have to research the cause, come up with a fix and then manufacture the changes and supply it to all of the Cup Series cars and teams at once.
NFL deserves zero praise. They hid dangers of concussions in players for decades.
— Hi, Everybody! (@HaiDoctorNick) October 9, 2022
Yes because a “protocol” is so much harder to update than a race car design 🙄. Apparently your head took a few hits along the way…
— suBOURBONite (@pilot_1_9er) October 9, 2022
You drove without safer barriers, HANS devices, headrests, and energy absorbent foam for years without a single thought of safety. Please don't chastise a sport that was great to you.
— Louis (@FeelngoodLouis_) October 9, 2022
Dude I rekon you hate big government too yeah? Man, these are grown men and should be allowed to make decisions on thier own without being told what to do by a panel of suits. It's a fine line brother, no easy answer. 🇺🇸🏁
— Jim Sharpe (@MfJimSharpe) October 9, 2022
NFL doesn’t have to redesign a car, test it and then mass produce it so it can actually be used by 36 teams https://t.co/bjh22mtvnb
— Dp (@RealDerek_) October 9, 2022
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Dude just say Nascar if you gunna call out the sport just do it.
— Bryan Page (@BryanPage_9) October 9, 2022
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While it may have been easy for NFL to add extra terminology to safeguard their players after an injury, bringing change into a sport such as NASCAR is a little more complicated. Sure it does take time since they have to make sure the new elements and designs reach each and every team on the grid. But now that multiple drivers have risen up and spoken about the problems at hand, it should be only a matter of time, before the officiating body should come up with an important update.