KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Bears cornerback Douglas Coleman III was immobilized on a stretcher and taken from Arrowhead Stadium in an ambulance on Thursday night after tackling the Chiefs’ Cornell Powell on the first play of the second half of their preseason game.
The 26-year-old Coleman had his head up as he came darting in to make the tackle near the Chiefs sideline, but his neck bent awkwardly to the side and the former CFL standout went down on impact. Coleman lay motionless as trainers from both teams rushed onto the field to check on him, and they were soon joined by doctors as a medical cart also drove onto the field.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus came over and saw Coleman moving his extremities as the medical staff removed his facemask and strapped him to a backboard. He was then loaded onto the cart and driven up the tunnel in the corner of the stadium.
“When I was on the field, over there on the Chiefs sideline, he was moving his limbs and gave us a thumbs-up,” Eberflus said, “so that was good to see. I don’t have anything more. He’s at the hospital right now being evaluated.”
The Bears went on to win their preseason finale, 34-21.
Coleman played college football at Texas Tech, where in 2016 he was a freshman and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was a junior poised to become a first-round NFL draft pick. Coleman moved to safety as a senior and was an All-Big 12 selection.
Coleman went undrafted in 2020 but signed with the Broncos as a free agent, spending time on their practice squad. He spent the past three years with the Ottawa Redblacks, switching between safety and linebacker, and appeared in 17 games last season with 60 tackles, four sacks, three interceptions and both interception and fumble returns for touchdowns.
During a recent game between the Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs, Douglas Coleman III, a defensive back for the Bears, was involved in a frightening incident that left fans and players alike holding their breath.
The play occurred in the fourth quarter when Coleman attempted to make a tackle on a Chiefs player. Unfortunately, the tackle went awry, and Coleman ended up getting hit in the head during the collision. The impact was so severe that Coleman was left immobilized on the field, prompting medical personnel to rush to his aid.
After several minutes of evaluation and treatment on the field, it was determined that Coleman needed to be immobilized and taken off the field on a stretcher. This precautionary measure was taken to ensure that Coleman received the proper medical attention and evaluation for any potential injuries sustained during the play.
The sight of a player being taken off the field on a stretcher is always a sobering moment in any sporting event, and it serves as a stark reminder of the physical toll that football can take on its players. Injuries are an unfortunate reality of the game, and the safety and well-being of the players should always be the top priority.
As of now, there has been no official update on Coleman’s condition following the incident. However, the entire football community is undoubtedly sending their thoughts and prayers to Coleman and hoping for a speedy recovery.
In conclusion, the incident involving Douglas Coleman III serves as a stark reminder of the risks that come with playing football at a high level. It is a physically demanding sport that can lead to serious injuries, and it is important for players to receive proper medical attention and care in these situations. Our thoughts are with Coleman and his family as he recovers from this frightening ordeal.