Brutal Hit From Bears' Trevathan Hospitalizes Adams
Anything happening at Lambeau Field was put on hold with about four minutes left in the third quarter.
Green Bay Packers receiver Davante Adams suffered an unnecessary hit from Chicago Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan after hauling in an Aaron Rodgers pass on third and goal. Adams was in a cluster of multiple defenders and the play was in the process of dying down before Trevathan flew in and delivered a brutal hit to Adams' head.
The blunt force of the hit knocked Adams' mouthpiece out from between his lips and left the Packers' fourth-year wide-out limp on the hallowed field. Unconscious. Motionless.
As a result, Trevathan wasn't ejected from the game, but the Bears did get flagged for unnecessary roughness. And while the Packers offense gained a fresh set of downs and four yards from the end of the play, they lost Adams for the game and possibly even longer.
Shortly after, the Packers announced that Adams has been transported via ambulance to a local hospital and was reported to have movement and feeling in all extremities. Coupled with a thumbs-up for the crowd as he was wheeled off into the tunnel from the field, hopeful signs provide optimism that he'll be back on his feet sooner rather than later.
"The news that I was given, so far everything looks positive," coach Mike McCarthy said after the game. "He's already giving them a hard time at the hospital to get out of there, so that's a great sign. You don't ever want to see one of your players get hit."
Adams was on the receiving end of one touchdown on the Packers' first drive -- his second of the season -- and was due to be one of the more premier targets for Rodgers this season. It's still unknown how much time he'll miss and McCarthy didn't have more information to provide.
Rodgers compared the hit on Adams to a hit former Packers running back Ahman Green took from Derrick Brooks in a 2005 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"I trust when Danny [Trevathan] said that he wasn't intentionally trying to hit [Adams] like that; he is one of the hardest-hitting players in the NFL," Rodgers said in his presser. "He's a tough player, I don't think he was intentionally trying to hit 'Tae, but he did give him a good whack."
The Packers dealt with a similar ordeal with seventh-round pick Malachi Dupre back in August. He was placed in concussion protocol after a hard hit from Philadelphia Eagles safety Tre Sullivan and had to be removed from the field on a gurney, much like Adams. Dupre was able to return to practice after 12 days.
For what it's worth, Trevathan was sympathetic for the hit he delivered, citing the impact should've been handled differently on his end.
"I'm just trying to make a play, it wasn't intentional," Trevathan said. "I'm just trying to do my job, and unfortunately, he did end up hurt. I'm sorry about that, I'm going to reach out to him and try to send him a message. We play a physical game but you never wish that on anybody. I regret the level I hit him at. I could've been a little better, but you've got to understand, I was using momentum trying to make a play. Nothing intentional, it happens in this game; hopefully, they see that."
"My main concern is that he's okay."
__________________________
Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (40)
RobinsonDavis
September 29, 2017 at 12:49 am
The actual live quote from Trevathan had a lot of "ums" and "you knows" in it, but it is otherwise accurate.
Go back to the play and listen for a whistle. Adam's momentum is stopped and I don't hear a whistle until he is clearly knocked-out. As many flags as the refs threw in this game, they suddenly pocket their whistles late? If the NFL wants to stop defenseless player hits, they could help by whistling plays dead earlier in some cases. However, this point does not negate Trevathan's responsibility here either.
ZacharyJacobson
September 29, 2017 at 12:56 am
It did, and a lot of hesitation too. I do my best to clean up the quote so it doesn't look as sloppy.
When they showed the hit on Adams' from the end zone angle at full, live-action speed, I cringed. It was horrific.
carusotrap
September 29, 2017 at 06:31 am
And the "no whistle" thing happened a couple times, including the play Ty Montgomery was hurt on.
dobber
September 29, 2017 at 07:32 am
There seems to be so much put on officials to let plays finish these days and not let an early whistle get in the way of play. Here's your argument for why they definitely need to jump on the whistle sometimes.
jeremyjjbrown
September 29, 2017 at 07:49 am
They did it earlier too when Bennett had the ball. These officals didn't act in the interest of safety.
CAG123
September 29, 2017 at 01:52 am
Man please that was a blatant " We're getting our butts kicked" aggravation hit. Adams momentum was stopped and he was heading towards the ground completely wrapped up what the hell play was he trying to make? It sickened me to see that
croatpackfan
September 29, 2017 at 05:00 am
Well that kind of self defend - "I'm just trying to do my job, and unfortunately, he did end up hurt. I'm sorry about that, I'm going to reach out to him and try to send him a message. We play a physical game but you never wish that on anybody. I regret the level I hit him at. I could've been a little better, but you've got to understand, I was using momentum trying to make a play. Nothing intentional, it happens in this game; hopefully, they see that." - I always hate as excuse...
I will put some changes in that statement. It will sound same, and than you judge by yourself: "I'm just trying to do my job, and unfortunately, that did end up hurt/kill somebody. I'm sorry about that, I'm going to reach out to family and try to send them a message. We drive on fast highways but you never wish that on anybody. I regret the speed I was driving and hit him at. I could've drive a little slower, but you've got to understand, I was drunk like hell and I was trying to drive a truck. Nothing intentional, it happens on the highway; hopefully, they see that."
It is whining of inmature person who is excusing, not for what he did, but trying to avoid punishment. I hope he will be suspended for the season!
Bearmeat
September 29, 2017 at 06:05 am
It was an awful hit, no doubt. Big difference though between someone who is speeding because they're late or drunk and someone who is getting paid to play a game where they have to go 100,000 MPH, or they'll lose their job.
The hit was awful. But if he said it wasn't intentional, then I believe him. Trevathan doesn't have a history like Burfict or Harrison does.
HankScorpio
September 29, 2017 at 06:11 am
Trevathan might not have had a history. He does now.
A drunk driver has the poor excuse that their judgement was impaired. Trevathan made the choice to use his helmet as a weapon. Players can say whatever that want but there is one reason to make that choice...to hurt their target by ramming them with the hardest object at their disposal.
dobber
September 29, 2017 at 07:49 am
He clearly put his helmet down and led with it. To say that was unintentional is crap.
That's all the league needs to see.
rdent
September 29, 2017 at 07:19 pm
The refs really were lame on that call, the player should have been ejected! He should be fined and suspended.
tm_inter
September 29, 2017 at 05:01 am
I don't buy Trevathan's "unintentional" excuse. The NFL must not tolerate such brutal hits. Trevathan must be penalized where it hurts the most: his own pocket. He should be suspended for several weeks without pay. That will send an emphatic message to all other NFL players.
HankScorpio
September 29, 2017 at 06:08 am
I don't buy it either. Plain and simple, he rammed Adams' head with the crown of his helmet. Unless he lost muscle control in his neck, it was intentional and the intention was to inflict injury. Perhaps Trevathan is lying to himself about his intention. Perhaps he is lying to the press. I don't know. Either way, the action he took spoke quite clearly.
I hope Rodgers and everyone else on the Packers understand that, no matter what they say to the press for public consumption. On November 12, a 70-0 score is too close for my tastes.
NickPerry
September 29, 2017 at 05:45 am
I don't give a damn what he says, that was a dirty hit by a frustrated player who's team was getting their ass handed to them by several reserves. If the NFL doesn't suspend him then all this talk about player safety is just Bulls*** and the NFL isn't as concerned about it as they try to suggest.
What's almost as bad is WHY the hit happened. Adams scored on the play before and it was called back for some BS holding call. IMO it wasn't holding by McCray the play before. Adams SHOULD HAVE been on the sidelines celebrating his TD catch with his teammates.
jeremyjjbrown
September 29, 2017 at 07:51 am
Nothing about his actions after the play showed regret. At least Dix had the decency nto show regret and try to help the guy he hit in the head.bI could tell that one was not intended.
HankScorpio
September 29, 2017 at 05:59 am
Trevathan used his helmet as a weapon. His eyes were straight down at the ground, not viewing what he was hitting. The crown of his helmet was the point of impact. There is only one reason to do that...to inflict maximum pain. That mentality certainly is a crowd-pleaser with some but there is plenty of violence in the NFL already. With what the NFL is learning about CTE, they need to wring that out of the game completely....a point Matt Lepay made in relation to the "targeting" rule in college that has been much criticized.
The response from the league in the coming days will show if they care at all about player safety. If they had any sense at all, they would send a very clear message that using your helmet at the initial point of impact is verboten.
Beyond that, it is sloppy tackling. You're supposed to look at what you're hitting. It's high time NFL defensive coaches started cleaning up that BS. Nevermind the player safety element. Cleaning up the mentality that leads to those hits will make for less missed tackles and better defense. Eyes on the ball carrier make it difficult to impact him with the crown of the helmet and less likely a "big hit" turns into a big whiff.
dobber
September 29, 2017 at 07:51 am
Travathan even SAYS, "I don't know what I hit" or that he didn't know he hit Adams in the helmet.
"It wasn't intentional." C'mon man...
Don Hutson
September 29, 2017 at 10:18 am
If you look at how the officials calked the game late, there seemed to be some effort made to keep things close (score wise).. at least that is how this Packer plan percieved it.
RCPackerFan
September 29, 2017 at 07:01 am
Sorry but what a BS hit. I don't care what Trevathan says, that was cheap and dirty. He went directly for a tied up players head. And then he was talking smack right after.
Head hits happen in the games. Players get hurt in games (as we all know). But that play there is exactly what has to be eliminated from the game. Lining up a defenseless player lowering your head and launching into their head.
He should have been ejected!
The ref said he didn't see it well enough to eject him. To me why can't they review that? They should be able to go back and review that.
I hope the NFL does the right thing and suspends him.
Bearmeat
September 29, 2017 at 11:57 am
I do too. I'm just saying that one poor choice, made in the heat of the moment, is not enough to brand a player "dirty" for his entire career in my book.
Burfict is dirty. Harrison is dirty. Trevathan? Not so fast. Cobb said the same thing btw. So did Jordy. So did ARod.
Gforcetrivers
September 29, 2017 at 07:07 am
What do you expect him to say?
"Normally I wouldn't have hit him like that but UM you know...we ah were down and had to UM stop that drive and Um man you know like I just seen that big easy target and uh just couldnt pass that up. Once I hit him I felt kind of bad but UM you know we getting beat and uh...I ll UM try sending a message see if he's ok."
He's toast if says anything else. I think the replay says it all. GUILTY!
Tundraboy
September 29, 2017 at 07:31 am
These helmet to helmet hits must stop now and this is why. Sometimes you miss the helmet and hit someone square in the jaw. It's a miracle noone has been paralyzed. Should be an immediate ejection and then some.
Hope Davante does not have lingering or permanent injuries because of some idiot playing tough guy.
Fire_Gute
September 29, 2017 at 07:35 am
I'm just as pissed at John fox for leaving him in the game. He looks like Pete Carroll's gum chewing twin brother. Mccarthy and fox were engaged in a rather long conversation after the game. It didn't look overly friendly and I hope that was the topic
HankScorpio
September 29, 2017 at 08:33 am
In NASCAR, the crew chief is held responsible for everything. If there is an infraction, it's the crew chief that takes the penalty no matter which crew member was responsible. Maybe the NFL needs to start holding the HC responsible when a player is looking at the ground when he makes contact with the ball carrier. Suspend Fox AND Trevathon.
It's good fundamental football that tacklers need to see what they are hitting. So any coach that disagrees might be better off in the MMA, where the whole point is to physically dominate the opponent. In football the point is to score on offense and stop scores on defense. Injuring the opposing offense into submission should not be any part of the intent of a defense.
Donster
September 29, 2017 at 08:01 am
Dirty hit no doubt in my mind. Should have been ejected right then and there. Especially if he celebrated the hit like Rodgers said he did. It must have been verbal, as I did not see where he physically celebrated after the hit.
His game check and the game check if he is suspended should go to Adams.
As to what Trevathan said after the game, you know he wasn't going to admit it was a dirty hit or was intentionally trying to hurt Adams. But just the way he answered you could tell he wasn't that upset about what he did or concerned about Adams health. Either that, or he doesn't have a lot of activity between his ears.
Finwiz
September 29, 2017 at 09:29 am
I was totally shocked they allowed him to stay in the game.
I've seen players ejected in the past for worse behavior.
Not sure what those refs were doing in that game.
That hit was as blatant of a cheap shot as you will EVER see.
No reason to allow him to stay in the game. No reason whatsoever.
He should be suspended without pay for at least 2 games.
Rossonero
September 29, 2017 at 08:39 am
That hit was freaking BS. He should've been ejected. I just hope Adams career isn't over. That was vicious. Reminded me of Jermichael Finley a lot. Thank goodness we have 10 days off now. We need it!!
Since'61
September 29, 2017 at 08:48 am
It was a dirty hit. I thought the Bears played dirty throughout the game. There were at least two illegal crackback blocks by the Bears that were not called. Also, they lead with their helmut a number of times on defense. Trevathan should have been ejected. I believe that the league will fine him but probably not suspend him, unfortunately. By that point in the play Trevathan should have been pulling up not going in with his helmut. I'm not buying his not intentional BS. Thanks, Since '61
Spock
September 29, 2017 at 09:23 am
Trevathan's hit was as brutal, intentional, and nasty as I've seen. His statement sounds more like "cover my butt" than honesty. I was really angry after that helmet to helmet hit. The refs didn't throw him out; what the heck is the "hitting a defenseless receiver" rule for?! I just hope Adams doesn't have any permanent damage because of it. The Bears appeared to be playing dirty all game IMHO. Looked like they knew they were out gunned and just tried to hurt people. How could the refs not call the hit on Vogel either? The ball was a yard off his foot before contact. I hope a healthy Packers team crushes the Bears by a 100 points in November. No excuse for that type of play by the Bears. Just sickening.
AFL Ref daughter
September 29, 2017 at 12:01 pm
"Brutal, intentional, and nasty" and "sickening". You covered it, Spock. My father certainly would have ejected that Bears player without hesitation.
Don Hutson
September 29, 2017 at 10:12 am
Personally I'm surprised the Sherrif didn't arrest Mr. Trevathin for attempted manslaughter. That was needless and gratuitous football violence. Even Dick Butkis would crindge.
Finwiz
September 29, 2017 at 10:12 am
Ian Rappaport reporting Devonte's injury is concussion only, nothing more. Not to minimize it, but that's good news.
dobber
September 29, 2017 at 10:39 am
True, but there are varying degrees. It appears he lost consciousness on the field...that ain't a minor concussion.
Finwiz
September 29, 2017 at 10:53 am
He could have lost feeling in his extremities or had temp paralysis, so it could have been FAR worse, yes? Trying to keep it positive.
dobber
September 29, 2017 at 12:29 pm
Absolutely. I wasn't really disagreeing with you, but more running with your idea of minimizing the injury. Although my first thought on that hit was that he might have a broken jaw, too.
mrtundra
September 29, 2017 at 10:43 am
For what it's worth, Trevathan was sympathetic for the hit he delivered, citing the impact should've been handled differently on his end.
Too little, too late, Trevathan! Trevathan is lucky he wasn't thrown into the stands after that cheap shot!
HankScorpio
September 29, 2017 at 11:48 am
He was celebrating in the immediate aftermath.
I think his changed stance had more to do with the expected impact on his wallet than anything else.
LayingTheLawe
September 29, 2017 at 10:54 am
Leasing with the head is bad enough but leading with the head into the face is barbaric. If this doesn't get a suspension then nothing does.
jyros
September 29, 2017 at 11:09 am
Suspended!? Hell, he should have been arrested!
WinUSA
September 29, 2017 at 11:59 am
In over a half a century of watching football at ALL levels, I have never seen such a cheap shot. The hit was criminal...almost as criminal as the refs taking 15 seconds to throw a flag AND not kicking the perpetrator out of the game-PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!