What Invoice Belichick, Patriots gamers mentioned about Isaiah Bolden’s damage, resolution to finish preseason recreation early

Patriots

“I believe all people acted swiftly and it was the suitable name on this scenario.”

The entire positive aspects and setbacks that performed out on the gridiron at Lambeau Area Saturday evening meant little or no within the wake of a scary damage involving rookie Isaiah Bolden.

The Patriots cornerback wanted to be positioned on a stretcher and carted off with 10:29 left within the fourth quarter after inadvertently colliding with teammate Calvin Munson whereas making an attempt to interrupt up a Packers passing play.

In a crew assertion, the Patriots introduced that Bolden “had feeling in all his extremities, however has been taken to a neighborhood hospital for additional exams and analysis.”

After Bolden was carted off, referee John Hussey introduced that the remaining 10:29 of recreation time was going to be suspended.

New England ended the sport with a 21-17 victory, however Invoice Belichick spent little time specializing in Saturday’s recreation throughout his transient postgame press convention.

“The final scenario, within the greater image, overrode the sport,” Belichick mentioned. “All saying a prayer for Isaiah. … Appreciated the way in which the league dealt with it. I believe that was the suitable factor to do. … Form of regroup and discuss concerning the recreation later. However that’s sort of the place issues are for proper now.”

Patriots longtime captain Matthew Slater echoed his coach’s sentiment when it comes to placing all of their deal with the well being of Bolden, somewhat than the outcomes of a preseason contest.

“I believe proper now our major concern is Isaiah, his wellbeing,” Slater mentioned. “Our complete crew’s praying for him. Simply hoping that issues aren’t as critical as they appear.”

Regardless of the optics of Bolden being carted off the sphere, Mac Jones mentioned postgame that the 23-year-old defensive again appears to be feeling higher.

“That was undoubtedly powerful to see Isaiah go down like that and simply laborious to comprehend the entire scenario …. Simply wish to be there for each other, wish to be there for him, his household,” Jones mentioned. “I’ve identified him since highschool. We performed 7-on-7 soccer collectively. So undoubtedly one among my brothers, however seems like he’s doing lots higher from what they’re telling us, in order that’s superior.”

“That’s nice information,” security Jabrill Peppers mentioned of the optimistic updates on Bolden. “However we’ll really feel even higher when he’s again with us.”

On what ended up being the ultimate play of the sport, Bolden tried to shut in on Packers wideout Malik Heath as he reeled in a catch from QB Sean Clifford. As Munson additionally ran towards Well being, Bolden collided headfirst along with his teammate, dropping instantly to the turf.

“It appeared like simply a kind of collision hits, these freak hits that you just see on uncommon events on this league,” Patriots defensive again Jalen Mills mentioned. “You hate to see it.”

As New England’s medical workers started to deal with Bolden, each Patriots and Packers gamers took a knee on the sphere.

A number of of Bolden’s teammates had tears of their eyes because the promising rookie was positioned on the stretcher and loaded onto the cart.

“It introduced up that Damar [Hamlin] feeling and it’s simply scary,” Kendrick Bourne mentioned. “That’s simply the way it feels. So it’s simply praying for him, man, that he’s okay.”

Whereas nearly your complete Patriots roster gathered round Bolden because the cart began to make its manner off the sphere, Belichick conferred with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, Slater and Hussey.

Simply minutes later, the sport was formally suspended.

Postgame, Slater praised the choice to name off the sport, particularly when it comes to his longtime coach’s position within the resolution.

“I actually recognize what Coach Belichick did tonight,” Slater mentioned. “He took the initiative on that and look — this isn’t the AFC Championship. We’re not enjoying for data. That is preseason recreation two. We’ve got an damage like that, it impacts a variety of guys in a variety of other ways. And clearly our crew was shaken by what occurred. And I believe Coach made the suitable resolution.

“I believe that was super management by him. I’ve to say, truthfully, that was one of many proudest moments I’ve had as a man who’s performed for him for, now, 16 years to see what he did. There was no hesitation. I recognize Coach LaFleur as properly for standing with him on that. I believe all people acted swiftly and it was the suitable name on this scenario.”

“I believe it’s in all probability the suitable transfer to do this,” Jones added. “And simply every part revolves round him and the way his household’s doing and, and all that stuff. Positively felt like we weren’t in a superb headspace — no person was on both facet of the ball.”

A 2023 seventh-round draft select of Jackson State College, Bolden has already logged common reps in New England’s secondary throughout his first NFL coaching camp and preseason. The 6-foot-2-inch nook has already slot in properly in Foxborough, in keeping with Slater. 

“He’s been a pleasure to be round,” Slater mentioned of Bolden. “He’s a younger man with a variety of expertise, however he’s a younger man that’s at all times acquired a smile on his face, is at all times optimistic, is at all times bringing nice power, nice effort to observe. And he’s been like a sponge.

“I imply, we’ve requested him to do lots for our soccer crew and he’s been keen and excited to do it. Clearly I’m biased — he’s a JSU Tiger. So I really like having a HBCU man right here, particularly one which went to my father or mother’s faculty. Yeah, he’s been nice. All the fellows love him. He’s match into our locker room seamlessly.”

As Slater and the remainder of the Patriots await extra updates on Bolden’s standing, the New England special-teams ace acknowledged that Saturday’s occasions function a sobering lesson of the hazards that may current themselves out on the soccer area.

“It’s a reminder of the fragility of life,” Slater mentioned. “It’s not one thing that we spend a variety of time enthusiastic about. However the actuality is, all of us are going to should wrestle with that sooner or later in time — each person who’s ever walked the face of this earth. So I believe it’s unlucky that it occurs on this context, on this setting. As a result of that is meant to be a joyful, celebratory expertise.

“We’re enjoying a recreation. We’re doing what we love, we’re entertaining folks. Persons are getting enjoyment out of our recreation. But it surely’s a reminder that issues can activate a dime. And it’s one thing that you need to put out of your head as a participant, as a result of you’ll be able to’t go on the market with worry and hesitation. However the actuality is — issues occur in life and positively issues occur in soccer on a regular basis.”