The Las Vegas Raiders Just Potentially Risked a Player’s Life Due To Improper Pre-Game Medical Care

Many NFL players understand that they risk getting hurt every time that they step on the football field. However, they don’t expect to potentially risk their entire life while at work. Someone on the Las Vegas Raiders recently had to do just that, though, as improper medical care potentially threatened a player’s life. That player is Raiders offensive lineman Trent Brown, who ultimately had to be hospitalized and did not play in the Raiders’ most recent game against the Cleveland Browns.

Trent Brown was supposed to play in the Las Vegas Raiders’ most recent game

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The Las Vegas Raiders played the Cleveland Browns in Week 8, and offensive tackle Trent Brown was supposed to play in the game after he had recently been taken off of the COVID-19 list. He did not play, though.

“Trent Brown felt ill before the game, resulting in his deactivation,” the Raiders said in a statement, according to ESPN. “He did not exhibit any COVID-related symptoms.”

Raiders coach Jon Gruden then didn’t give much of an explanation about what was wrong with Brown, either.

“We’re just going to say that he got ill here in the locker room and he’s being evaluated right now,” Gruden said, according to ESPN. “We’ll update you as soon as we [know] something. But I’m told everything is OK. We were expecting Trent to play today; he had a great practice on Friday.”

Quarterback Derek Carr then gave a pretty frightening description of what happened.

“All of a sudden, we come in and they’re wheeling him out and I’m like, ‘Bro, what is going on?’ It was crazy and so we prayed,” Carr said, according to ESPN. “As a team we prayed for him, we made sure he was OK, his family, because I’m sure they were scared to death.”

So, what happened? Well, it appears that Brown received improper medical care before the game.

There was a mishap with his pre-game IV

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Brown was hospitalized after a mishap with his pre-game IV that ultimately caused air to enter his bloodstream. ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio reported that Brown remained hospitalized on Monday morning and was getting more tests done.

Florio also reported that the NFL Players Association has launched an investigation.

“Obviously, it’s something that should never happen in the exercise of proper care, and the league and union need to understand what occurred so that it will never happen again,” Florio wrote.

A player being hospitalized due to receiving improper medical care while with the team is already something that should bother anyone. What is more worrisome, though, is that this mishap could be life-threatening.

Trent Brown’s life was potentially risked

Las Vegas Raiders lineman Trent Brown didn't just miss a game due to improper medical care. His life was just potentially risked too.
Trent Brown of the Raiders watches from the sidelines during the first half of a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 15, 2019. | Christian Petersen/Getty Images

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Air going into his bloodstream leads to concerns of a potential air embolism. An air embolism can have some serious consequences.

According to Healthline, an air embolism occurs when one or more air bubbles enter a vein or artery and block it.

“These air bubbles can travel to your brain, heart, or lungs and cause a heart attack, stroke, or respiratory failure. Air embolisms are rather rare,” Healthline writes.

Healthline also reports that sometimes, air embolisms are small and don’t block the veins or arteries. Some can be very dangerous, though.

“Large air embolisms can cause strokes or heart attacks and could be fatal. Prompt medical treatment for an embolism is essential, so immediately call 911 if you have concerns about a possible air embolism,” Healthline writes.

Hopefully, this is not the case for Brown. No matter what the result is, and no matter what actually happened with the IV, this needs to be investigated thoroughly, and the Raiders should be punished in some way. Improper medical care not only kept Brown from playing, but it also potentially risked his life.