Coach Eric Mangini Under Investigation

Injuries are very disappointing to a competitive athlete, as well as to a competitive coach. However, when there is a probable injury, it should be properly reported and treated even if the player is crucial to winning a game. Playing with an injury can be very dangerous. It can lead to further injuries — more serious ones. This is why coach Eric Mangini is under investigation. He allegedly has a role in the failure to report the injury of an athlete, in this case, quarterback Brett Favre. Though he was already fired from the New York  Jets after the team has collapsed under his wing, he was the coach during Favre’s sole New York stint. How Mangini got involved Mike Tannenbaum, the Jets general manager admitted much that they should have had reported Favre’s torn bicep tendon on mandatory injury reports. The injury should require off-season surgery so it was definitely a serious and dangerous matter to let an athlete play with such a condition. Former coach Mangini has managed to get involved in the inquiry because of his presence during Favre’s season with the Jets. If he is found guilty, he and the Jets could be fined. Mangini denied responsibility, claiming that he followed and will continue the NFL rules to the letter. Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner, emphasizes that policies should be followed by all 32 clubs. A ruling will decided how the New York Jets will be punished. The other 31 clubs will definitely know about the judgment, hopefully discouraging them from making the same mistakes. During his season with the New York Jets, Favre had 22 touchdown passes and 22 interceptions and an overall unimpressive run. He discovered the torn biceps tendon after having some shoulder pain and proceeding to have an MRI. An arthrospic procedure was said to be needed instead of a major surgery. His former coach, Mangini, had only good things to say about him. According to Mangini, it was not the quarterback’s fault that the Jets had experienced some losses during Favre’s New York season. However, it could also be Mangini’s trust in Favre’s capability that had prompted the former coach not to report a probable injury. Tannenbaum must be in the same boat on the matter. What happened to the New York Jets should be marked on the minds of other clubs’ managers and coaches. They should help prevent injuries instead of covering them up. Once there is an injury, the player – no matter how good he is – should be able to have it treated. Anyway, his play may not be as good as when he is in tip-top shape. It would be best if the athlete is given the chance to recuperate. This is true even if the athlete himself does not want to report the injury. Coaches and managers are still responsible for his well-being.