If you're an Athletic Trainer, chances are you've already seen the video from Saturday's Duke–North Carolina football game. And you've probably seen plenty of opinions about it, too.
But there's been an important development since the clip went viral.
During Saturday's game, Duke safety DaShawn Stone was injured and remained on the field while medical personnel evaluated him. Teammate Kimari Robinson stood nearby, visibly concerned.
When a female member of Duke's Athletic Training staff approached and attempted to move Robinson aside to reach Stone, Robinson swatted her arm away.
The moment quickly drew criticism across social media. Stone was eventually able to leave the field under his own power.
On Sunday evening, Robinson issued a public apology, acknowledging that his behavior was wrong and that he had apologized to the staff member personally after the game.
He explained that Stone was like family to him and that he feared his teammate might be seriously injured.
But Robinson also made clear that his concern did not excuse his actions.
For Athletic Trainers, there's an important distinction worth discussing.
An athlete's concern for an injured teammate is understandable. Interfering with medical care is not.
When an athlete goes down, Athletic Trainers need room to evaluate the injury, coordinate with other healthcare professionals, and determine what happens next.
That includes directing teammates, coaches, and others away from the immediate area when necessary.
It's not about authority for its own sake. It's about protecting the injured athlete and allowing medical personnel to do their jobs.
Emotions can run high when a teammate is hurt. Robinson acknowledged that his emotions got the better of him, accepted responsibility, and offered an apology.
That doesn't mean everyone has to agree about what happened, or that the Athletic Trainer involved is obligated to move on.
But perhaps the most productive takeaway is a simple one: When an Athletic Trainer asks for space to care for an injured athlete, give it to them.
And when someone makes a mistake in that moment, taking responsibility matters, too.