A unified lawsuit on behalf of more than 2,000 National Football League players has been filed against the league in federal court, alleging that the NFL failed to acknowledge and address neurological risks associated with the sport and then deliberately failed to tell players about the risks they faced, according to attorneys representing former players.
The complaint, filed in federal court in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, unites the more than 80 pending lawsuits filed against the NFL.
“I firmly believe the NFL could have and should have done more to protect Ray. That’s why I am seeking to hold the NFL accountable,” Mary Ann Easterling, widow of former Atlanta Falcons safety Ray Easterling, who committed suicide in April after suffering for years from dementia, said in a press release. “Having lived through Ray’s struggle, I desperately hope and pray others can be spared the pain and suffering we have endured – and still endure every day.”
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy acknowledged the filing, but added that there was nothing new to the claim other than that it merges them all in one place.
"Our legal team will review today's filing that is intended to consolidate plaintiffs' existing claims into one "master" complaint," he said. "The NFL has long made player safety a priority and continues to do so. Any allegation that the NFL sought to mislead players has no merit. It stands in contrast to the league's many actions to better protect players and advance the science and medical understanding of the management and treatment of concussions."
However, many NFL players have claimed they suffer from a variety of injuries because of concussions without really knowing the severity of how badly they could be hurt playing the game.
“The NFL must open its eyes to the consequences of its actions,” Kevin Turner, a former running back for the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles who has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, said in a press release. “The NFL has the power not only to give former players the care they deserve, but also to ensure that future generations of football players do not suffer the way that many in my generation have.”
Lawyers representing the NFL players cited "dementia, depression, reduced cognitive ability, sleeplessness, early-onset Alzheimer’s, and a debilitating and latent disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy" as some of the specific injuries caused by head trauma in the NFL.
“Instead of protecting the health of its players, the NFL’s response to this epidemic of brain injuries was to engage in a campaign of deceit and deception, actively concealing the risks players faced from repetitive impacts,” Christopher Seeger and Sol Weiss, co-lead counsels for the former NFL players, said in a press release. “This case is about providing security and care to former NFL players who have suffered these devastating neurologic injuries, and making the game safer for generations to come.”
Read more about the NFL's concussion problem:
NFL to require sideline test after head blows
Former NFL players: League concealed concussion risks
Film aims to show football's culture of playing despite concussions
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This is not a stupid law suit, it brings attention and warning to parents and others who are engaged or want to be engaged in the sport. I love football and it's disturbing to me when any of these guys suffer or commit suicide.
clearly anyone with a brain in their head understands in a full contact sport, regardless of how many pads you wear, there are going to be injuries, but over the last 10 years or so we are learning that the head injuries are more severe and long lasting than we previously thought. People like Junior Seau and others are now finding out they have to live with these injuries for the rest of their lives. Its not the same as a bodily injury which, while inconvenient, isn't going to affect someones quality of life too much. a head injury like Seau's, which made it impossible for him to sleep without heavy medication, is something that can ruin your life forever. no amount of money is worth that. The only question is how long has the NFL known about these more serious injuries and their lasting affect and what have they done about them. Clearly some major changes need to be made in how the sport is played to make it less violent or gifted athletes are going to chose a different sport and the talent level in the NFL will drop considerably to the point where a lot of people will stop watching it. I hope they make these changes because it is an exciting sport to watch. we'll see...
I don't care what the helmet is made out of. I know if a 300 pound man hits me in the head, there is a good chance I will get hurt. I DON'T NEED ANYONE TO TELL ME THAT !
They are either from the early era before big money, or folks like Warren Sapp and Terrell Owens who need money.
Football will be gone from this country within ten years. No one will want to watch what's left of it when the lawyers are finished with it.
I don't care what the helmet is made out of. I know if a 300 pound man hits me in the head, there is a good chance I will get hurt. I DON'T NEED ANYONE TO TELL ME THAT !
"The NFL has long made player safety a priority and continues to do".
So that is why they are hiring scabs to officiate this season, because they are making player safety a priority?? I don't think so!!
Really. Did ANY of these players enter the NFL without having previously played football. They need to go back and sue their colleges and high schools first. Whoever gave each one their first uniform appears to really be the guilty party.
Like their parents...
hey these winners took the millions to play a game....not get a job they new the riches did they think they were giving them millions of dollars... that they could never earn on their on merits....to play a game off flag foot ball.....i could care less about them...they took the money and they got what they deserve.......they could still get a job greeting people that work 52 weeks a year for their money that they earn in life at home depot
America is a sue happy country. With over 80 % of lawyers in the world concentrated in this country they need work. Only they benefit. Deep pockets are what they are digging into.
You mean running full speed into a 250LB man who's running at the same speed isn't good for you ? And all of this time I thought it was good for your skin and promoted healthy bone structure.Jeez.Next you'll tell me that drinking gasoline may cause problems.
I just discovered that 2+2=4. Who knew??? After all this time.You really do learn something new every day.
The end of the NFL is near.
Fine.
Thank God!!
So you put on a huge helmet and a mouth guard and you go head banging time after time after time. And you did not know that brain injury was not only possible but probable? All current NFL players in this suit should be terminated with a no return clause to any team and tell them that this is a preventative remedy for head injuries.
LEAVE FOOTBALL ALONE GD IT.
that should end pro football as we know it!