PHILADELPHIA - Eagles quarterback Jalen Hirts has sent a letter to the Washington football team and the NFL asking what follow-up action will be taken after Sunday's railing collapses at FedEx Field.
"I tried to handle the situation with the utmost care and show compassion for those who fell down, but I know it could have been worse," Hurts said on Tuesday. "It wasn't until after the fact that I got this kind of shock, took some time to reflect on it and think about it. I just wanted to see what could be done to make sure it doesn't happen again." That's what I really care about."
A railing on the side of the tunnel leading to the visiting locker room at FedEx Field collapsed while the Hearts were exiting after Philadelphia's 20-16 win. Several videos show a group of about eight fans falling about 6 feet to the ground.
Hurts sidelined fans as they fell and did not hit. He helped one person and asked several of them if they were okay while posing for the pictures.
According to a team spokesman, WFT President Jason Wright "received the letter and sent a private email in response. He looks forward to speaking with Jalen. Additionally, we are working to ensure that this happens again." Don't be."
The NFL also released a statement later Tuesday.
"We appreciate Jalen's concerns and are reviewing the incident with the Washington football team," said Brian McCarthy, NFL's vice president of communications.
Washington issued a statement on Sunday evening, which read: "To the best of our knowledge, all involved have been offered an on-site medical evaluation and have left the stadium of their own accord."
However, four persons who fell as a result of a railing fall - all of whom say they suffered injuries from the incident, most of them minor - denied the suggestion that they were offered on-site medical evaluation.
"The only thing the staff told us was to get the F off the field," said 26-year-old Andrew Collins from Brooklyn, New Jersey.
In his letter, Hurts asked, "What follow-up is being considered in response to the near-tragic incident at FedEx Field on January 2, 2022.
"Through the initial shock, my first reaction was to help those involved. However, when I showed a calm restraint, I understood the seriousness of what happened and was extremely concerned for the well-being of fans and the media. As a result, I understood the gravity of what happened. "I'd like to know what security measures the NFL and the Washington football team are implementing to prevent this from happening in the future."
Mike Namoli, 26, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, said he began experiencing neck and arm pain, as well as tingling in the arm, which he said was trapped under a barricade, shortly after the incident. He said he went to check out at Inspira Medical Center in Mulica Hill, New Jersey, on Sunday evening and was put on a neck brace while he waited in the emergency room. When he was discharged just after 5:30 a.m. ET Monday, he learned he had suffered a cervical strain and head injury as well as elbow and knee injuries, documents show.
Collins said he was experiencing lower back pain and a pulled groin on Monday, while his girlfriend, 22-year-old Marisa Santarlassi, and Namoli's fiancée, 24-year-old Morgan French, said he suffered severe leg injuries. Is.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Prince George's County Emergency Medical Services personnel were on the scene within five minutes and began treating those who needed medical attention, including a media member who was turned away. And another fan was involved. The source said he was not aware that anyone else needed medical attention at the time.
A Washington team official said the area where fans congregated was for people with disabilities and was designed for wheelchair access and that the railing is not load-bearing and therefore has to withstand hundreds of pounds of bending. is not designed for. However, members of the group argue that they were granted access to the arena by a member of stadium security and there was no indication that it was a restricted area.
"I was in front of the railing, and as we went down, I felt the pressure. Me and Andrew were like, 'This thing's going to collapse,'" Santaralsky said. "More and more people kept gathering... and as the Hurts came, obviously it collapsed. I fell down. And as I was getting up, I was trying to get my foot out of the railing because It was still caught, and the FedEx guys, they were ripping off the railing because my leg was still stuck in it.
"He didn't even ask, 'Are you okay? Do you need help?' Nothing. They just went about their day. The pain was really all that was asking, 'Are you guys okay?' it was crazy."
Avoiding being hit by a collapse, Hurts lifted a fan off the ground that appeared to be hitting his head, then posed for pictures, before giving his sports gloves to another fan, who appeared to be hitting his head. Fell right in front.
"The resources of the NFL and team organizations ensure our safety through playing this physical game," wrote Hurts, "but what happened on Sunday unnecessarily put both fans and players at risk long after the final whistle." Dia. I look forward to hearing from you on this matter."