g00n
Retired Global Mod
- Nov 22, 2007
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Just watched the Wideman ruling video, and it's interesting to note that the language used suggests Wideman's side claimed a concussion was later diagnosed, and the league makes their ruling presuming that to be true/fact for the purpose of the ruling. If Wideman's side had presented medical records clearly stating that he was concussed I don't think they use that wording. Which suggests to me the league is skeptical of the claim and made the ruling regardless.
Still, it seems kind of suspect to throw 20 games at the guy regardless of diagnosis confirmation. IMO they're using the letter of the rule and allowing the appeal process to take over.
To me the concussion excuse holds no water. He obviously didn't have any issue calmly skating back to the bench, he obviously had no issue with laying a guy out, and he kept playing after the fact. Besides that, if it truly would have been a head issue, that would have been the first thing out of Wideman's mouth after the game. He said nothing of the sort. Glad he got 20, wish he would have gotten more, he needs to just come clean and admit he let his anger get the best of him. People would move on a lot faster.
I think if he didn't see the guy it eliminates any sense of intent, which is the basis for his 20 game suspension per the rulebook.
I have been offline all morning can someone provide a link to a source that says an actual medical diagnosis from a doctor was presented at the hearing? Because the explanation in the video suggest that Weidman's camp only claimed that he had been diagnosedand the league made the ruling while just assuming that that was true
Why not? If he didn't know what he was doing, how can he be at fault? If the courts allow insanity as an "excuse", I don't see how this is that dissimilar a situation.Being concussed doesn't excuse concussing a linesman.
The video said "he was later diagnosed as having suffered a concussion." Only a doctor can diagnose that.
Lacks context. The video said that per Wideman's camp they were told he was diagnosed, and the league was taking their word for it and ruling regardless. Listen to the exact wording.
So are you saying he lied about his concussion in order to have an excuse for hitting the linesman? Even after seeing the video of his head slamming into the boards? Even after seeing him hunched over immediately after the hit? Even after seeing him obviously dazed on the bench?
That's a big stretch and you know it.
So are you saying he lied about his concussion in order to have an excuse for hitting the linesman? Even after seeing the video of his head slamming into the boards? Even after seeing him hunched over immediately after the hit? Even after seeing him obviously dazed on the bench?
That's a big stretch and you know it.
I've been concussed twice. The second was severe enough to cause memory loss (I still don't remember the incident happening or the half an hour or so afterwards).
A concussion is not an excuse to cross check someone. He didn't simply put his hands up. He put both hands on the stick (where as, a moment prior, he had the wherewithal to do a single hand tap with his stick to signal a line change) and pushed forwards with his stick against the back of Don Henderson.
I'm telling you what the video actually contained.
Didn't you previously say Widemen likely lied about NOT having one? So he lied to the media and everyone else, but couldn't have lied in the hearing?
Wideman was not formally diagnosed and examined during the game (a huge mistake on the Flames and the NHL's part). He doesn't know if he has a concussion, he's a competitive athlete and he's going to do anything to get back onto the ice whether it's a smart thing or not. This includes telling the trainer and coach that he's fine even if he's not.
If the NHL isn't doubting that he actually sustained a concussion, why are you? It's the weirdest thing to be arguing.
Do you actually need to see a signed medical report to believe that he had a concussion before continuing with the discussion? The NHL believed him and STILL handed down a 20 game suspension.
Here's an example of what a concussion can do to a guy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9M7liDRclQ
Balance is perfect, vision seems okay, can run off the field just fine. But he has no idea what team he is playing for due to a concussion.
Why is it so hard to believe that something similar could have happened to Wideman?