Football is one of the most gruesome sports in the world, and its unforgiving brutality was on full display in the middle of Sunday's Week 14 matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders.
During the third quarter of the contest, Commanders tight end Zach Ertz left his feet to attempt to haul in a pass, but before his feet returned to the ground, Vikings safety Jay Ward delivered a hit to his legs. Ertz left the game on a cart, and on Monday, it was revealed that he suffered a torn ACL, meaning his season, and possibly his career, is over.
Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell was asked about the hit on Monday, and he shared that he actually checked in on Ertz after the game.
"I hate seeing those things happen. Got a chance to connect with Zach last night, a little bit, just because I've had a relationship with him. I've always just thought the absolute world of him as a player, and just wanted to connect with him a little bit in a very casual way. It wasn't anything significant.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell says "there was no bad intent" behind the hit that tore the ACL of Washington Commanders TE Zach Ertz
In addition to speaking about the unescapable speed of the game, O'Connell mentioned how the hit on Ertz wasn't similar to others that many would put into the "dirty" category.
"Just thinking about the rules that these defensive players have to play with. I know for a fact, there was no bad intent behind that play where things are happening fast out there. You've got to be very aware of where a guy's head and neck area are on those plays.
The unique thing about [the hit] is it wasn't like Zach's foot was planted on the ground, where you see some of those injuries. He left the ground to make a play and was still in the air when that collision happened.
...It's easy to play it back and slow-mo it and start to develop hypotheses on things, but the game is happening very, very fast. I always encourage people to, when you're down on the field, to take in just how violent and fast the game is because you just hate seeing stuff like that."
Minnesota's head coach is certainly speaking from experience since he was on the sideline in 2023 when Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson suffered a torn ACL after his knee was hit by the helmet of Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph.
Unlike Ertz, Hockenson had already caught the football and was in the middle of attempting to gain more yards when Joseph delivered a hit to his knee.
Unfortunately, hits like the one to Ertz on Sunday are just part of the sport of football. There's virtually no way to eliminate them from the game unless the league wants defenses to start playing two-hand touch.