'Concussion' Dr. Bennet Omalu calls for Elijah Moore to retire after scary TNF head injury
Dr. Bennet Omalu, whose work in discovering CTE in football players became the inspiration behind the film, “Concussion,” said Friday he believes Cleveland Browns (11-5) receiver Elijah Moore should retire after suffering a scary head injury during the 37-20 Week 17 win over the New York Jets (6-10) Thursday.
“That is my recommendation,” Omalu told TMZ.
Moore, 23, sustained the injury in the second quarter after his head crashed into the turf after being tackled by Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley. Moore showed signs of seizing after the hit before trainers tended to him on the field. Trainers helped him to the injury tent before headed to the locker room.
“He was having a seizure,” Omalu said. “A seizure is a manifestation of brain damage, brain injury. That is permanent damage.”
Moore spent the night in a hospital for concussion evaluation. He returned home Friday and is in concussion protocol.
“He is home now,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He’s in concussion protocol, so we’ll just work through that over the next few days with him. Glad that he’s back home.”
Bennet Amalu says Elijah Moore shouldn’t play again this season
Moore hauled in five receptions for 61 yards and a score before exiting the game. In 16 games this season, he has come down with 59 receptions for 640 yards and two touchdowns. Omalu said that if Moore doesn’t retire, he would strongly advise he sits out the remainder of the season, including the playoffs.
“Given what I saw in that video, he should be benched for rest of the season,” Omalu said. “For at least three months.”
Moore’s injury overshadowed a magical night for the Browns, who clinched a playoff spot in the AFC with the victory. Quarterback Joe Flacco, making his fifth start for Cleveland this season, recorded his fourth straight 300-yard game. In total, he completed 19-of-29 passes for 309 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Flacco is the first player in NFL history to have 250 passing yards and multiple passing touchdowns in each of his first five games with a franchise, per ESPN.
“You don’t know how many of these moments you’re going to get,” Flacco said after the game. “I’m going to remember this for the rest of my life.”