The Broncos finished another contest without safety Kareem Jackson in Week 7 after the veteran starter unloaded his latest illegal hit in the fourth quarter against the Packers.
Jackson’s violent tackle came with 14:10 left in regulation when Green Bay tight end Luke Musgrave hauled in an 18-yard pass. As Musgrave stumbled backward, the rookie was swiftly met by Jackson, who launched the crown of his helmet into a defenseless Musgrave’s head and neck area.
The officiating crew promptly disqualified Jackson and assessed Jackson with a 15-yard penalty. That marks the second time the 13-year pro has been ejected for a hit to the head during a season in which he’s also received four fines for similar plays.
The officiating crew promptly disqualified Jackson and assessed Jackson with a 15-yard penalty. That marks the second time the 13-year pro has been ejected for a hit to the head during a season in which he’s also received four fines for similar plays.
Considering his track record in 2023, it’s highly likely Jackson, who received his fourth fine on Saturday, will be subjected to another fine for Sunday’s brutal hit.
As for Musgrave, the Packers TE, thankfully, avoided landing in the concussion protocol. But he was listed as questionable to return shortly after exiting the game due to an ankle injury sustained on the hit.
Among the survivors of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, some have managed to heal more quickly and have returned to the world of hockey. Others may never walk again. One thing they have in common: All 13 young men have made immense efforts to get where they are today, one year after the collision on April 6, 2018.
Morgan Gobeil
The Humboldt-born defenceman was badly hurt in the crash, and was the last player to be released from hospital on March 4, 2019. Gobeil’s family said a traumatic brain injury has left him unable to speak or to walk, even after spending hours in physiotherapy.
“The road is long and challenging, but we are confident Morgan’s work ethic and determination will be the cornerstone of his recovery!” his family said in a written statement last month, noting his condition has greatly improved.
During the 333 days he spent in hospital, Gobeil graduated from high school and celebrated numerous occasions, including his brother’s wedding and his 19th birthday, the family said.
In early December, Camrud paid tribute to Patter and their missing teammates on Instagram, saying “I wish the other guys could be here every day. It’s a privilege to be at the rink every single day with my brother. Love ya Phil.”
Xavier LaBelle
The crash left the Saskatoon-born defenceman with 16 spinal fractures, a traumatic brain injury and deep facial lacerations. Xavier Labelle’s face was so badly injured the coroner misidentified him as deceased goalie Parker Tobin. After spending 62 days in hospital, LaBelle continues to undergo physiotherapy and numerous surgical interventions to repair nerve damage affecting his legs and his left shoulder.
“We went from devastating grief to absolute relief and joy that Xavier had survived this horrific, horrific tragedy,” his father, emergency room doctor Paul LaBelle, recently told Rogers Hometown Hockey.
Labelle is able to walk, but continues to require medical care. He was released from hospital two months after the crash and has no recollection of the terrible event.
In September the Saskatoon Blades hired Xavier as a hockey operations assistant, and he’s also an assistant coach with the Saskatoon Contacts midget AAA team.
“It’s different than playing hockey,” the 19-year-old said. “But coaching and being on the coaching side of things has its perks.”
Tyler Smith
After breaking his collarbone, shoulder blade, ribs and suffering a stroke in the crash, Tyler Smith was determined to rejoin the Broncos in November 2018.
Smith played 10 games before deciding to continue his recovery at home in Leduc, Alta.
Smith now has an arm tattoo honouring his former coach Darcy Haugan, along with 16 winged angels over his heart. “I know and feel that my angels are always with me, I love you all and miss you all so much,” Smith tweeted.
Kaleb Dahlgren
An outspoken advocate for players with diabetes since his own Type 1 diabetes diagnosis at age four, Dalhgren had a lengthy recovery after the crash, in which he suffered a fractured skull, a puncture wound in his head, a brain injury and six broken vertebrae in his neck and back.
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