It’s a story that gets me fired up.
I’ve been a chiropractor in professional sports for over 20 years, patching up NFL players through the thrill of Super Bowl runs and the grind of tough injuries. Back in the early days, a hit to the head often meant a quick sideline huddle with a coach or team doctor, and you’d be back on the field before you could blink. We didn’t fully grasp the long-term risks of concussions then.
But today, in 2025, the NFL, the NFL Players Association, and all 32 teams are doing incredible work to change that. They’re putting player safety first, and I’m proud to be part of this transformation. That’s why what happened in last Thursday’s game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles is important.
It was a heart-pounding game, with rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart firing passes against the defending champs. In the third quarter, Dart scrambled and took a hard hit to the head. My stomach dropped, as it always does in those moments.
The Giants’ medical team jumped into action, rushing him to the blue tent on the sideline for a proper evaluation. That tent is a game-changer in today’s NFL. It’s a space where doctors and trainers, not coaches, make the calls, carefully assessing a player’s brain health before they return to the field.
The NFL and NFLPA have worked tirelessly to make this standard practice: no distractions, no pressure, just medical experts doing their job in a quiet space. Only essential personnel are allowed in, and teams are responsible for upholding that rule. It’s a system rooted in trust and science, and it’s protecting players’ futures.
That said, during that Giants-Eagles game, though, something caught everyone’s attention. Cameras showed Giants head coach Brian Daboll approaching the tent while Dart was being evaluated. Then there was a brief, heated exchange with the team doctor about whether Dart could return.
Coach Daboll quickly took responsibility, apologizing and clarifying he wasn’t trying to interfere. The next day, Giants owner John Mara issued a statement.
John Mara: “We have protocols in place as a league to ensure player safety. We need to allow our medical staff to execute these protocols without interference. I spoke to Coach Daboll this morning about approaching the tent. While I firmly believe, as he stated, that he was not trying to influence the process in any way, he understands that appearing to go to the tent is inappropriate.”
What I love about today’s NFL is that they don’t brush these moments aside. They use them to grow. Over the weekend, the League sent a memo to all teams, front offices, coaches, and medical staff, reinforcing the importance of these protocols. It reminded everyone that stepping over the line could lead to consequences such as extra training or, in rare cases involving competitive motives, draft pick penalties.
But that’s not what happened here. The League and NFLPA are reviewing the incident together, using their collective bargaining agreement to ensure fairness and clarity. This is progress in action. It’s not about blame; it’s about making the system stronger to protect players like Dart. And here’s the best part: Dart passed his evaluation, got back on the field, and led the Giants to a thrilling upset win.
That’s the kind of story that gets me fired up. The protocols did their job, the kid was safe, and he still had his moment to shine. I’ve seen the days when players were told to “tough it out” after a big hit. Now, players can speak up about symptoms without stigma, and medical teams have the tools and authority to make the right decisions.
The NFL is investing heavily in research, better helmets, and training for everyone from trainers to referees. The NFLPA has been a powerhouse, ensuring players have a voice in shaping these changes. Every team, from the front office to the practice squad, is all in. That sideline moment in New York wasn’t perfect, but it showed how far we’ve come.
The fact that it’s even a conversation proves the system is working, with everyone holding each other accountable. As we dive deeper into the 2025 season, I’m excited to see this commitment play out. To the players grinding every day, the doctors keeping them safe, and the fans cheering them on: know that this League is fighting for its athletes every step of the way.
Here’s to a game that’s safer, stronger, and still full of heart.
Dr. Allard
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Dr. Brian “Bones” Allard, DC, is a concussion protocol advocate with over 20 years in pro sports, helping NFL players stay healthy and get back in the game. Former NFL physician (2003-1016) and current consultant for professional football and the professional racing car industry. He performs research in the field of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and the short and long-term effects. Dr. Allard founded several health care companies over the past two decades. His current focus is on healthcare innovation, providing access and affordability via merging technologies and specific intellectual property.
