Recently, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been sidelined for the remainder of the NFL season after doctors discovered deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli. Hurts sustained this injury on October 4th in his left calf but was still allowed to travel to Paris and play in a game just a week later on October 11th. In a follow-up appointment, it was revealed there were clots in both his lungs, meaning blood clots traveled from a calf injury to his lungs. He’s now going to be on blood thinners and prohibited from football activities. And this is a clear violation and health risk that the Eagles and NFL put him in to make sure he played in their Paris game, but yet no punishment or repercussions came at all.
The fact that no repercussions are coming towards the front office is honestly ridiculous. Athletes in most sports already trade long-term physical and mental health for short-term performance and action, especially in contact sports.
Although not ok at all, athletes play through injuries all the time; like Tyrese Haliburton in the 2024-25 NBA Playoffs, and when these kinds of actions happen, players often worsen their own injuries in return for momentary success. In a sport like football and other collision sports, it’s even worse, where concussions and CTE have become a common suite.
Athletes’ mistreatment of their health by themselves and sports teams’ front offices isn’t always physical either, but is mental pressure and mental deterioration. Between the identity of being “tough” and being vulnerable, especially in male athletes still being seen as weak and soft. Male athletes are still hated on and looked down upon just for being themselves, like NBA player Jared McCain, who enjoys painting his nails; athletes are often stigmatized for disclosing distressed emotions or anxiety. Mixed with the cameras always being on and leading to a constant need for perfectionism creates depression and, for many, a loss of their own personal identity.
