NFL players rip fans for cheering head injury

Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs is examined after taking a hit from a Baltimore Raven and being helped off the field in the fourth quarter on October 07, 2012, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. / Getty Images

When 330-pound Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata plowed into 230-pound Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel in the fourth quarter of the Ravens' 9-6 victory Sunday, somewhat predictably, Cassel was severely hurt.

It's football. These types of injuries happen.

But what happened next, after Cassel was removed from the game for an apparent head injury, was unusual.

Cassel's injury prompted applause from some fans in Kansas City, perhaps some of them the same ones who paid for an airplane to tow a banner before the game pleading for Cassel to be benched and for Chiefs ownership to fire general manager Scott Pioli.

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Concussions in Sports

The cheering didn't sit well with members of the Chiefs, either.

"I think it's sickening and disgusting," Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Winston said angrily. "We are not gladiators and this is not the Roman Colosseum. This is a game. This is a game that's going to cost us a lot down the road. That's OK. We picked it. We deserve it. I don't want your pity. But we've got a lot of problems as a society if people think that's OK."

Concussions in football have become a sensitive topic to players as the evidence mounts that many who suffer them -- which is a vast majority of those who suit up on Sundays -- face a potential shortened life span, early loss of motor skills and memory, as well as a host of other potential complications.

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The burgeoning discussion over head injuries in football almost certainly led to the fans' cheers over Cassell's injury to strike a nerve in both locker rooms after the Chiefs-Ravens game.

After the game, Haloti Ngata expressed sympathy for the man he injured, according to ESPN.

"I knew I hit him hard, but I didn't think it was hard enough to take him out. I thought I hit him right in the ribs," Ngata said. "Hopefully, he bounces back and gets better. For them to cheer for him being hurt, that's just not cool."

[R8erfanattic]

Its funny how so many people today love to cry and complain about everything! The fans were cheering that their horrible QB left the game not that he had a head injury. They were not cheering for the injury! It's sad to watch what society in coming to.

[kcchiefsfanalways]

I was at the game and Eric Winston blew his block. Fans started cheering because the announcer said "First Down" then everyone realized Cassel was hurt and the cheering subsided. Cassel got up Brady Quinn ran on the field and cheering started up again. One player, the one who blew his block is the only one to make a statement regarding the fans to take the spotlight off his mistake. He has played 3 games at Arrowhead and has the balls to call out KC fans...please. We may not be happy with his playing but if his Offensive Right Tackle held his block we would not be in this position.

[boatingman]

Amount paid for a ticket to the game should offset the fans right to "Free Speach".

[lemmer65]

A sorry state of affairs when an injured player when fans "cheer" i.e. taunt that someone is seriously hurt. What is really "amazing" is that some comments justify that the millions of dollars in salary makes it okay!

America is still a great nation but with a streak a meaness running through it. Freedom of speech does not justify any and everything

[Jaylah54200]

Okay, hang on a minute.

If the KC fans were actually cheering for the INJURY, then no, that is not cool.

But I started going to local college games with my father occasionally when I was probably about 8 years old. And I remember, the first time somebody (happened to be the opposing team) got hit hard enough that they didn't get up, and they ended up carrying him off the field on a stretcher, all of the fans -- from both sides -- stood up and clapped. And I remember asking my father why people were clapping, because the guy was obviously hurt. That seemed like pretty poor sportsmanship, even to my 8-year old mind.

And my father told me it was to show support to the injured player. To basically tell him, "Good game. Good effort."

But then, I suppose there's a big difference between clapping and cheering.

[craniest]

This, basically.

[LP303]

Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Winston said angrily. "We are not gladiators and this is not the Roman Colosseum."

Eric, do you really think the general public thinks this is NOT the Roman Gladiators?

Severe trauma to the human head causes injury - sometimes severe, sometimes fatal. That's been true since the beginning of time. Advanced medical studies today prove this beyond doubt. Studies have shown this time & time again.

I believe rules should be changed, however, I don't believe the political & financial powers behind this game would allow a change in our lifetime. There's too much money on the table.

You sign up for enormous salaries to take this risk.

If you don't like the attitude of the general public, which does think cheering for an injury is "OK", find another career.

[Vetzero58]

You are just one of the reasons why I am ashamed to be an American.

I really do wonder if my military service to and for this country and it's people was worth the cost I paid.

[nohater]

think you have some insight on the issue. no doubt, it's not a popular insight but it is something to be evaluated and considered. as for vetzer058 post against you, it shouldn't bother you. vetzer058 forgets this is a free country and everyone is entitled, as an American and U.S. citizen, to their thoughts and free speech. any amount of military service by one individual does not change the freedoms according to the U.S. Constitution.

[Vetzero58]

This would be a good time to stop playing the schedule,forfeit the rest of the season and take the team to another city, like LA or San Antonio or elsewhere if for no other reason then to make a point.

....change the name and mascot and colors, leave Kansas City behind without an NFL team.

The fan base of the Kansas City Chiefs in the City of Kansas City deserve no less.

[Vetzero58]

I would not have expected something like that from a team's fan base in the middle of the country...like Kansas City.

Such behavior is usually what you might find on the west or east coastal regions.

This just goes to show that most Americans that are rabid NFL football fans are rude, crude, and not worthy to be fans of teams and players.

[tmonta67]

As a New Englander, I take offense to your comment on "east costal regions" being more likely to cheer for an injury. Such behavior is not inherent to U.S geography, but on the ideals and norms instilled and permitted by the authoritative body, whether that be family, law, or even a sports team. Both teams should have left the field and delayed play as soon as this happened, and representatives for both should have spoken out against this deplorable conduct.

[nohater]

wonder who died and made you judge, jury of fans of the nfl. you make an allegation, a charge, without supporting data or citing sources.

[AOCGUY]

Sick Fuc%s

[Epic_Fail_2011]

The cheering had nothing to do with what ending up happening and what was safe to assume at the time which was that Brady Quinn would be making his first regular season appearance for the chiefs. I hope Mr. Cassel is alright, I didn't watch the game so I didn't see or hear the cheering so i can only assume which also seems to be the case for this press release. Really Being 9/15 with 92 yards and 2 interceptions and a fumble he should have been taken out. For Mr.Winston who said "We are not gladiators and this is not the Roman Coliseum. This is a game." it's a game to the fans but it's a job to the players and they are very well compensated, with better medical than any working class family can afford and making more in a year then many families will in almost 10 years.

[tmonta67]

Whether or not he should have been taken out is irrelevant to the behavior of the fans. And the fact that players have "better medical than any working class family can afford" is simply a pathetic response.