Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons players decided to run out the clock in the fourth quarter of the preseason Week 1 game on Friday night after defensive back Morice Norris suffered a scary injury on the field.
Norris’ head snapped back while attempting to make a tackle. After he didn’t get up, Norris was put onto a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance before he was taken from the field.
After that happened, both teams decided to not to play out the rest of the game and ran out the clock. Before it hit zero, the league office decided to officially suspend the game.
Following the contest, Lions quarterback Kyle Allen explained the decision and it was the answer we were expecting.
“I don’t think anybody on that sideline wanted to play… I think you could look at everyone’s eyes and see it’s not worth it,” Allen said.
“It’s just awful… you sign up for football and you understand the risk…but you never think something like that is going to happen,” Allen added.
That was most definitely the right decision by the players. Nobody should have to play after seeing what happened to Norris.
Morice Norris injury update
According to head coach Dan Campbell, Norris was was breathing and talking and had some movement, which is certainly a good sign.
The Lions announced that Norris was transported to a local hospital for more evaluation.
In their postgame comments to the media, Falcons players noted that Norris was responsive while on the field.
“It’s an eye-opener. It’s just an eye-opener. It hits a little different. It puts things in perspective,” Campbell said. “Man, it’s a violent game, and we love it, but when something like this happens, the silver lining is the brotherhood.”
MORE MORICE NORRIS NEWS
NFL world sends prayers to Morice Norris
Lions players send prayers to Morice Norris
