


Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was instrumental in the NFL’s decision to suspend play in their preseason game Saturday night against the Green Bay Packers after rookie cornerback Isaiah Bolden was carted off the field on a backboard.
The Patriots released a statement saying that Bolden had feeling in all extremities and was taken to a local hospital for further tests and evaluation.
“We’re all saying a prayer for Isaiah,” Belichick said. “I appreciated the way the league handled it. I think that was the right thing to do.”
“We’ll regroup and talk about the game later,” he added. “That’s kind of where things are for right now. Competitive game, competitive week, good week against Green Bay. Unfortunate what happened there at the end. Hopefully, Isaiah will be alright. That’s really about all I got.”
Belichick, special teams captain Matthew Slater and quarterback Mac Jones all addressed reporters after the game. Both Slater and Jones said they appreciated that Belichick took the initiative on suspending play.
Head official John Hussey suspended play after Belichick, Slater and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur met at midfield while Bolden was being carted off.
“Ladies and gentlemen, at the agreement of both head coaches and team leadership, we have elected to suspend play for the evening. The game is officially over. Thank you,” Hussey announced on the field.