Ravens LB Kyle Van Noy calls Chiefs coaching staff ‘unprofessional’ after injury during game against Kansas City
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy said the Kansas City Chiefs training staff acted in an “unprofessional” manner while treating him for an eye injury he suffered during a Week 1 game at Arrowhead Stadium on Sept. 5.
During an episode of his podcast “McCoy & Van Noy,” Van Noy said he suffered a broken eye socket and had to see an ophthalmologist, but was told to wait in the locker room.
“I was disappointed with the way the Chiefs coaching staff handled the situation. When you get injured, especially when it’s potentially serious like mine, you have to rely on the coaching staff of the (home) team or their doctors,” he said. “They took a whole quarter to talk to me in the locker room, which I find unacceptable. Because then you start thinking, ‘What if I wanted to get back in the game? What if I was really, really injured?'”
Van Noy added that a doctor or “the doctor’s friend” who evaluated him “was sitting in their double-balled Styrofoam cups like everything was fine” and pointed out that the Chiefs players gave their training staff an F in their NFL Players Association grading. team by team report cards in February.
“I understand how Kansas City – the players – gave that training room a failing grade, because with my experience I probably would have given them a failing grade afterward.”
The Chiefs finished 31st overall, ahead of only the Washington Commanders in the graded rankings. The Ravens gave their coaching staff a B- and finished 15th overall.
John Harbaugh said Wednesday that Van Noy had not spoken to him about the situation, but that the linebacker’s comments were sent to him.
“I don’t know what happened or didn’t happen. I have respect for everybody involved,” Harbaugh said. “I obviously have respect for the medical people all over the league. Our place, Kansas City, every place in the league that I have respect for. I have the utmost respect for the players, especially Kyle Van Noy. He’s my guy. I love him. This is one of those guys that competes and fights and does everything he can to be the best player he can be.”
Van Noy, a veteran playing in his 11th season in the league, said he did not expect a response from the Chiefs, but he did express disappointment with the way the situation has unfolded.
“As a player, people expect you to be professional and do business. In times of need, that’s what I wanted from them, but I felt like I wasn’t getting it. It makes you wonder if they took their time because I’m a Ravens player. … I don’t think so, but at the same time, I don’t want them to come out and apologize.”
After the news broke, Van Noy was approached by reporters in the team’s locker room, but he refused to speak.
A Chiefs spokesman said the team would not comment.
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