Jalen hurts blood clot: Who is Lisa Blunt Rochester, what she wrote in a letter to NFL boss Roger Goodell | Today’s news
Lisa Blunt Rochester, Democratic U.S. Senator for Delaware, wrote to National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Roger Goodell asking for answers on the league’s protocols for detecting, preventing and treating blood clots after Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and bilateral pulmonary embolism (PE).
In a letter dated October 21, 2026, Blunt Rochester raised questions about medical decisions that allowed Hurts to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London after doctors discovered a blood clot in his calf. She also asked if the NFL would review the Eagles’ handling of the case, including a decision on his eligibility to play and subsequent international air travel.
The senator said the issue is deeply personal to her because her husband, Charles Rochester, died at age 52 after blood clots traveled to his heart and lungs following an Achilles tendon injury sustained playing recreational basketball.
“I am deeply relieved that Mr. Hurts’ story did not end the way my husband did,” she wrote, urging the NFL to use its influence to prevent deaths from blood clots.
Who is Lisa Blunt Rochester?
Lisa Blunt Rochester, born February 10, 1962 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, represents Delaware in the United States Senate beginning in January 2025. She previously served as the state’s at-large representative in the House of Representatives from 2017 to 2025.
She was the first woman and the first African-American elected to represent Delaware in Congress. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a master’s degree from the University of Delaware.
Before entering Congress, Blunt Rochester held several public positions in Delaware, including state secretary of labor, deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, and state human resources director. She also served as CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League and later as a senior fellow at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
What did she ask Roger Goodell in her letter?
Blunt Rochester’s Oct. 21 letter asked the NFL to explain its medical protocols and decisions regarding Hurts’ diagnosis. It raised five key questions:
1. NFL-Wide Blood Clot Protocols: Does the league have standard procedures for detecting, preventing and treating DVT and PE, and what medical guidelines inform it?
2. Clearance to Play: What standards determine whether a player can participate when a blood clot is suspected or diagnosed? Does the NFL have a league-wide return to participation protocol?
3. Education and Awareness: What training do players, athletic trainers, and coaches receive to recognize the signs of DVT and PE?
4. Travel Risks: What steps is the NFL taking to reduce the risks of blood clots, including those associated with long-haul flights?
5. Eagles case review: Will the league conduct a thorough review of the decision to release Hurts after his diagnosis and travel from London back to the US? She was also looking for a timeline for any review.
Why did the Jalen Hurts case cause concern?
Hurts suffered a calf injury during Philadelphia’s Oct. 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams. According to the Eagles, an ultrasound performed in London on Oct. 10 after the team’s flight and flyover revealed a superficial blood clot.
The medical staff and doctors in London concluded that he was safe to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 11. The Eagles said a follow-up ultrasound within 72 hours was recommended. A follow-up scan on October 14 revealed movement in the clot. Further testing revealed DVT and bilateral pulmonary embolism, meaning blood clots had affected both lungs.
Hurts was subsequently placed on injured reserve and is expected to miss the rest of the season. His treatment includes blood thinners, which prevent him from participating in football activities while on them.
The Eagles said they remained in communication with the NFL throughout the process. The league’s chief medical officer, Dr Allen Sills, also defended the medical staff’s handling of the case.
What did Roger Goodell say?
On Oct. 21, Goodell said the NFL welcomed the investigation after the NFL Players Association called for a review of the Eagles’ handling of Hurts’ blood clots.
“Protocols were followed,” Goodell said, adding that the league’s chief medical officer had reviewed the actions taken. He also emphasized that the main concern is Hurts’ health.