New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll is no stranger to sideline outbursts, but his explosion on Thursday night may leave him facing some unwanted consequences.
Late in the third quarter, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart took a big hit and was slow to get up. He was eventually ushered into the blue medical tent to be evaluated for a concussion.
Per NFL rules, no other coach or player is permitted to enter the tent, but Daboll (and rookie running back Cam Skattebo) did not adhere to those guidelines. The head coach attempted to storm in but was swiftly removed.
“I was just trying to get back there on the field. I understand they have protocol and whatnot. I was just trying to get out there fast,” Dart said after the game. “I’m tired of it.”
With veteran quarterback Russell Wilson under center and a big fourth-down decision looming, Daboll lost his cool and began screaming at Giants head physicial Scott Rodeo.
It was an ugly scene and one Daboll regrets.
“I apologized directly to our team physician. I just wanted his ass out there if he was okay. But I wanted the process, like we were getting ready to go for it on a potential fourth down, I would have burned a timeout if he could have come out there. I was asking how long was it going to take,” Daboll told reporters after the game. “Again, you want your guy out there. Not at risk of anything else. But he came out. I think he’s going to be good. Is he going to be good or not? I’m going to call a timeout on fourth down and go for this son of a (expletive).
“I love our doctors. I’m sure you were going to ask me about that. I’m just giving the answer. I apologized. I was in the wrong. But he’s all right. He gave me a hug.”
It’s not just that Daboll erupted on Rodeo; entering the medical tent is likely to get him — and possibly the team — fined.
“I spoke to Coach Daboll this morning about approaching the medical tent last night,” Giants co-owner John Mara said in a Friday statement. “While I firmly believe, as he has stated, that he was not trying to influence the process in any way, he understands that the appearance of going to the tent is inappropriate.
“We have protocols in place as a league to ensure player safety, and we need to allow our medical staff to execute those protocols without interference. We understand the situation is under review by the NFL and the NFLPA, and obviously, we will cooperate fully.”
In an ironic twist of fate, members of the media were permitted inside the blue medical tent prior to kickoff. The rules and process were explained to them, specifically outlining that no coach and no other players would be inside the tent during an evaluation.
The Giants violated that rule not once, but twice (Daboll, Skattebo).
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: NFL investigating New York Giants’ application of concussion protocol: Fine coming?
Reporting by Dan Benton, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
