Tony Dungy: NFL concussion protocol 'broken system'

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate (84) was ruled out Sunday's night game after suffering from a concussion. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Hall of Fame HC Tony Dungy calls NFL protocol 'broken system' after Cameron Brate concussion

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 10/3/22

From the moment Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa stumbled off of the field during Week 3 play against the Baltimore Ravens all the way through his horrifying head injury in Week 4 on "Thursday Night Football" and now the aftermath of the situation, the league's concussion protocol has been under a heavy microscope by fans and the media. Now, the other NFL team in Florida is starting to be criticized for the way it handled a concussed player during their Week matchup on "Sunday Night Football."

Among the critics is Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy, who was in attendance for the contest as he works as an analyst for NBC's "Football Night in America."

Broken system. I was on the sideline very close to Brate-obvious he had his bell rung. There’s a league appointed spotter in the press box who should stop play & alert the referee. Brate shouldn’t have been allowed to return until after an evaluation. Why didn’t that happen??? https://t.co/POguZtRxhp
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) October 3, 2022

Coaches, team doctors and game officials are all watching play and can all step in. But the league appointed spotter has the ability to buzz the referee, stop the game and mandate that player leave the game to be evaluated—no penalty or timeout charged to the team. https://t.co/65Nor80wFJ
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) October 3, 2022

Brate took a bit of a friendly fire shot from teammate Chris Godwin, making a catch before running into the back of the wide receiver who was blocking a Kansas City Chiefs defender. Brate came off the field, returned and came off the field again, only to be ruled out with a concussion.

The tight end finished the contest with four receptions for 32 yards on a season-high eight targets.

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