NFL Network analyst and former Seattle Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson has attracted a second wave of criticism after attempting to apologize for his on-air comments about the health of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.
On Monday, it was revealed Hurts was dealing with a serious blood clot in his lungs which will rule him out for the rest of the season, and could even wreak havoc with his plans to return to the field period.
Days prior to that revelation, Robinson implied on the air that Hurts was using this injury – of which the severity and the location of the clot was at the time unknown – as an excuse to remove himself from a disappointing season so it ‘doesn’t look like it’s on me.’
Hours after the revelation of Hurts’ injury, Robinson posted an apology to his social media account.
‘I want to sincerely apologize to Jalen Hurts, his family, the Philadelphia Eagles organization and fan base for my comments last Thursday,’ Robinson said.
‘They were unfounded and I never should’ve speculated on a health issue of a player nor his commitment to his team.’
NFL Network analyst Michael Robinson apologized for his comments on-air last Thursday
Last week, Robinson suggested that Jalen Hurts choosing to sit out due to a superficial blood clot was the Eagles star’s way of taking the heat off himself from his team’s poor season
Days after Robinson’s comments, it was revealed Hurts is dealing with a blood clot in his lung
Fans weren’t buying his apology, though, with many claiming it was half-hearted and others insisting he say sorry on air rather than on social media.
‘You genuinely do not have enough brain cells to be on national television discussing anyone’s medical condition,’ one said. ‘What an unbelievably stupid thing to say.’
Another X user added: ‘You said the comments on TV, so state your apology the next time you’re on TV.’
A third chimed in to claim: ‘Terrible PR apology enjoy being unemployed in a few months.’
Hurts’ health saga began on October 8, when he requested treatment for a calf injury he suffered after he was ‘cleated’ in a game against the Los Angeles Rams four days prior.
Two days later, while in London before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hurts was diagnosed with a superficial vein thrombosis in his left calf.
Despite the serious nature of the injury, Hurts was cleared to play in the game – which Philadelphia lost – before he then flew back to the United States.
Last Wednesday, Hurts underwent an ultrasound where doctors discovered movement in the clot. He was subsequently ruled out for this past Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.
Speaking on NFL Network on Thursday, Robinson openly speculated about Hurts’ health condition.
‘I don’t know nothing, guys, but it looked like they were trying to pin the outcome of this season on Jalen Hurts, just so that they can have an excuse later on to move on from Jalen Hurts,’ Robinson said on the air.
‘And again, I’m not saying I know nothing, guys, but … if I’m Jalen Hurts or anybody in Jalen Hurts’ camp, I’m saying, “Well, if everybody’s hurt, I’m hurt, too.”‘
Robinson went on to explain he was ‘cleated’ as a player as well before telling viewers to ‘Google “superficial blood clot” as opposed to a real blood clot.’
Hurts was subsequently ruled out for the season as he continues to receive treatment
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni defended his team’s medical staff to reporters on Monday
The Super Bowl XLVIII champion added: ‘To me, it looked like Jalen is kind of getting himself out of the fray … so that this doesn’t look like it’s on me.’
Hurts, a Super Bowl champion himself, is clinically stable and on blood thinners, according to his agent Nicole Lynn. He has been placed under medical evaluation in recent days.
The quarterback cannot play football while taking the drugs and is expected to return when he has concluded his course of treatment. However, Hurts will remain around the team and will work on his conditioning.
Lynn and the Eagles said in their statement that Hurts’ diagnosis is a deep vein thrombosis and a bilateral pulmonary emboli. The latter diagnosis indicates blood clots in the lungs.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni addressed the media and defended the Philadelphia medical staff amid questions about Hurts’ care.
‘The health of our players is always at the forefront of our minds, and we leave that up to the medical experts, but we always, always care deeply about our players,’ Sirianni said about Hurts participating in the Jaguars game.
‘When you are completely focused on togetherness and connection, you’re always thinking about the well-being of your guys, and that’s where we were in that situation.’
