The Baylor Bears had a real issue on their hands during Saturday’s Big 12 Championship when quarterback Charlie Brewer had to be removed from the game at the behest of one of the officials over a potential head injury.
Brewer took a big hit on a third down play early in the second quarter against Oklahoma and appeared to be clearly shaken up and wobbly when he got to his feet to leave the field for the impending punt.
The hit that may have knocked Charlie Brewer out of this game #Big12Championship pic.twitter.com/S4dbzSj6NN
— Run Pod Option (@RUNPODOPTION) December 7, 2019
Despite this, Brewer immediately returned to the game on the next Baylor drive after being briefly examined on the sideline, though he still didn’t look right. According to ESPN’s Holly Rowe, Brewer was ultimately removed when head official Mike Defee intervened and essentially forced Baylor to take their quarterback to the locker room.
Holly Rowe reports head official Mike Defee made Baylor evaluate Charlie Brewer more for a head injury citing that he just didn't look right. That's why he went back to the locker room to get checked.
— Dylan Buckingham (@DylanBuckingham) December 7, 2019
Redshirt freshman Gerry Bohanon replaced Brewer and remained in the game for the rest of the first half.
Baylor coach Matt Rhule said in his halftime interview that Brewer was out for the rest of the game.
Baylor clearly blew it by putting Brewer back in the game. It’s not clear how closely he was examined in the aftermath of the initial hit, but it reflects poorly on the school, the coaches, and the medical staff that it took a referee to correctly deduce that Brewer needed to be examined. This has been an issue that has popped up in other games, and it’s very concerning that it happened at all, much less on such a big stage.
