Michigan State football: Alante Brown didn't show concussion symptoms until after CMU game
EAST LANSING — Michigan State football’s medical team provided clarity about its decision to allow Alante Brown to return to the field and then remove him again after the kick returner was hurt on first play of Friday night’s Central Michigan game.
On the opening kickoff, Brown, a transfer from Nebraska, delivered a block for kick returner Tyrell Henry. As Henry made a cut around him, Brown collided with CMU's Thomas Pannunzio and immediately crumpled to the Spartan Stadium turf.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Brown was strapped to a backboard on the field and then driven to the locker room on a cart.
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However, Brown later returned to the game in full uniform and went back in with 1:51 left in the second quarter on special teams. He fielded a kickoff and returned it 16 yards. After halftime, Brown came back to the sideline without his pads and in sweatpants.
MSU Athletics, in a statement released Thursday, said athletic director Alan Haller “requested a full evaluation of the events” surrounding Brown’s injury and how it was handled. Dr. Jeff Kovan, MSU’s director of athletic medicine and not a part of the football gameday medical staff, conducted the evaluation.
Kovan said once the medical staffers at halftime saw a replay of the hit, they ordered Brown to not return in the second half. The doctor said Brown remains in concussion protocol as of Thursday, and it is unclear if Brown will be in uniform or on the injury report Saturday when the Spartans host Richmond.
“I analyzed the actions and verbal statements from all involved members of the sports medicine staff to ensure accuracy and consistency,” Kovan said in a statement. “Initial on-field evaluation of Brown’s injury included a head and neck screen, which prompted spine boarding and precautionary removal to the tunnel. Per all reports, none of the Athletic training staff or physician medical staff had direct vision of the injury when it occurred. Evaluation in the tunnel, while still on the spine board, was negative relative to a neck injury, neurological injury or concussion. Subsequent x-rays were performed in the stadium and were also negative. Repeat examination (for neck injury, neurological injury and concussion) after x-ray continued to be negative. Based on interviews, an isolated replay of the injury was not part of initial sideline video review.
“Based on the negative clinical examination and x-ray, activity progression occurred on an exercise bike on the sideline and Brown remained asymptomatic and therefore was allowed to return to play.”
Kovan said “additional detailed neurological and concussion examination” took place during halftime and remained negative. That is when the sports medicine staff saw the “isolated television copy replay” of the hit.
“Based on what was viewed, a decision was made to withhold Brown from further play despite continuing to have normal examination for precautionary reasons,” Kovan said. “The following morning, Brown displayed mild concussive symptoms on his repeat examinations. He’s currently doing well and progressing through concussion protocol.”
Kovan added that MSU plans to “expand our use of video access as a tool to assist our healthcare providers in evaluating injuries and potential return to play.”
Coach Mel Tucker was asked both after the game and again Monday about Brown’s situation and deferred to the medical staff’s decision both times.
“For me, all those decisions are all medical,” Tucker said Monday. “If a guy plays, if he doesn't play, if he practices, if he doesn't practice, it's all medical. I don't have anything to do with those.”
Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football: Alante Brown tested OK for concussion in-game
