Many in the football world were convinced Julian Edelman suffered a concussion in Super Bowl XLIX earlier this month, and the New England Patriots' wide receiver isn't exactly doing much to downplay the idea of late.
Seemingly dazed after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from Seattle Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor in the fourth quarter, Edelman remained in the game to help the Patriots mount their comeback and emerge with the win.
In a recent interview with Ken Belson of the New York Times, Edelman declined to explain the situation:
Q: Did you get a concussion on that play?
A: Due to our team policy, I can’t discuss that.
Q: You stumbled after that play, but you stayed in the game. Does that mean you were not injured?
A: Next question.
Q: Were you tested for a concussion?
A: I went through all the protocols.
Edelman may, in fact, not be allowed to discuss the issue due to team policy, but passing up an opportunity to deny that he sustained a concussion will only create more questions about the way the situation was handled.
The NFL has implemented a far more detailed concussion protocol over the past few seasons, and the mere possibility that a less extensive exam was conducted due to the magnitude of a Super Bowl game is quite concerning for both the Patriots and the league as a whole.
