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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Oh for goodness sakes. Lee Roy Jordan is 71 years old. Of course he can't remember things and is irritable. HE'S SEVENTY ONE!
They knew the risks its a violent game. I had over 6 concussions should I sue the CYO and my High School?
I do have serious anger issues but I'm 5-3 and I have the Napoleon complex so I just think it's that.
Matt – At least your sense of humor is intact. Thanks for the chuckle.
Oh, Please. Anyone who ever heard of Muhammad Ali knows the results of getting your head bounced around for awhile. Remember the Lindros brothers in ice hockey? Both chose to quit due to concussions – they gave up their careers to protect their health. Crap, we learned about the dangers of brain damage in elementary school health class in the 60s. The life of a NFL player is about 4 years. They choose to play with injuries in order to maximize their paychecks while they can. Players can blame the NFL all they want, but they are the ones who are responsible for their own health. If this lawsuit goes anywhere, you can bet it will be the taxpayers and fans who will see ticket prices rise. This is why all atheletes need a college degrees or other skills – so they can work a real job after their playing days end.
You mean to tell me they didn't know that banging your head against another head–even helmeted–was a bad idea? Give me a break.
What did these 2,000 meatheads think football was all about? Did they think NFL stood for No-contact Football League? Probably lots of tennis players should sue over tendonitis, race car drivers with hemmorhoids, rodeo cowboys with bowed legs, beach volleyball players with skinned knees....the possibilities for lawsuits are endless...
I think Obama should regulate the sport and rich people should pay money to support these retired football players. They did not know that crashing into each other could be hazardous and should not be held accountable for their decisions. The purpose of government is to spread the wealth.
A game played by people with HEAD injury issues is WATCHED by people with Head issues.. What a surprise! REMEMBER NFL is more important then your friends, family, kids, GET DRUNK, FEED YOUR FACE AND SCREAM AT THE TV HEY THROW STUFF at the TV Too cause You like OWN THE TEAM ITS YOUR TEAM.... Get a life people... Pathetic USA lands of the neanderthals with viking mob Mentality!
You're just cranky because your team didn't win. : > )
Apparently you haven't been to other countries and their obsessionb with soccer/football. It's far worse than anything the United States does...
haahaahaha – just made my day!
Why not isn’t that the mind set of this me, me society, who can I sue? It could never be my fault or a result of my choices.
They are trying to SAVE the players...remember them? They ARE football. Don't be so self-absorbed.
They knew years ago how bad these hits to the head over and over would be on a person's brain.....and on the other side of the coin is the player who is so dumb they don't think it will be damaging to them to continually be smacked in the head by 2 tons of linemen? The NFL has to take most of the blame for not letting these players know that.."yeah boys, it really is worse than you could possibly imagine." Take care of them, you have gabillions of dollars.
If you play football in high school, you know the injury risks. They can plead ignorance but it's B S
Starzee, That's ridiculous. It's a frivolous lawsuit and a shameful attempt at a money grab.
You're kdding right? This is one more case of people not taking responsibility for their own actions! Any semi-intelligent person would know that banging your head into something dozens of times over 5 months for several years would have sever impact on your health.
I say, suck it up ex-players. You made your millions doing what you liked stop looking ofr a handout.
Actually, no. I don't think it was commonly recognized even 10 years ago that repeated concussions would lead to things like depression and suicide. The point in this case is that the NFL recognized it before the players or society generally did, and withheld the information.
"Gbillions of dollars." are you kidding me. That money comes from advertising and that cost is in the products we non football players buy. They are already getting hazard pay for it doesn't take much brains to run & catch a ball. And yes they the players are smart enough to know that 300lbs traveling at 20mph each direction is one heck of a collision. Would they jump out of a car going 40mph. They pursue football for the money and ego of being #1 and the fame from being on tv. That was their choice.
Lets all sue somebody I'm sure we can all recall some time someone – especially a big bad company screwed us. By the way I am also underwater on my auto loan so I should qualify for some type of bailout shouldn't I?
The players knew too. It's common sense. It's like a boxer suing because the punches to his head caused him concussions. It's a risk that you take when you play the game.
As do the players themselves. They are more than financially able to take to are of their medical bills. What's next?
there is always someone else to blame. When do people actually have to own up for their actions and think for themselves? Does the white part of me owe the black part of me reparations for some of my ancestors mistreating my other ancestors? Seriously, even if they're dumb, they get enough money they can afford to hire a smart doctor that can tell them that getting smacked repeatedly may cause future problems.
Yes and those players were paid gazillions of dollars as well. Sorry....you really think a person that's made it as far as professional sports and they don't know the risks of getting and delevering hits? It's not just the fame, fortune and celebrity. Deal like the rest of us do and quit pretending to be innocent little children who didn't know any better. PAAALEASE.
Starzee: So, you are telling me that these COLLEGE GRADUATES many with SPORTS and PE related degrees, didn't know that getting hit in the head repeatedly might cause harm??? None of their personal physicians, while shooting them up with steroids, told them that they could be crippled for life from this activity? The PLAYERS and their union were the ones who opposed rules and equipment that would limit these types of injuries. Why didn't their own union, full of sports lawyers, tell them the risks?
If they want to save the players, ban the game. Or teach them golf.
Totally agree.
I do not think I would believe any doctor who is paid by "the company" to tell me I'm going to be ok. That is akin to saying 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help".
Ooohhhh look out – remember those caps on jury awards. We can't throw out the baby with the bathwater can we? I remember thinking in high school – well that can't be good – bashing people together – what's that doing to people's young bodies, their brains. When I objected to one football coach he said, "son, that's the American way, that's what football is all about." Meanwhile when a kid was hurt he'd say, "poor kid, his life is ruined, I feel so bad..." We can't have it both ways America. If we're going to play foosball we've got to provide a fund for players who are going to make these claims – so open those wallets a bit wider – because the NFL is going to establish a fund – and you're going to pay for it. Don't complain. It's the American way.
I'm wondering how much the NFL did to educate these guys.
If you think about it, starting at a young age we are told to wear our helmets when doing riding a bike, rollerblading etc.. That it could even save our life. It gives the impression that if you have a helmet you're fine.
Now did the NFL encourage that perception? Or did they make them aware. Did the NFL encourage players to return playing before proper recovery.
I'm sure these players wanted to go back in, that's why so many of them lie about how they are feeling to play.
Most of these guys came from college, which they got a either a free ride or partial ride, because they played football. Now because they didn't learn anything during the college years they are claiming to be unknowing about anything. Any person that has simple logic skills can figure out the more a head trama happenes the more there is a chance of something else happening. I might have to boycott this season.....You get paid millions of dollars because of your talent and your so called love for the game and now you turn around and want more because you are a washed up has been that didn't make anything else out of your life. PATHETIC
What a bunch of 'wooses'. Everyone knows the risks of any game they play. Anything to get more money!
Un...F reaking...Believable.....
These jokers get paid MILLIONS to play a stupid game and now they want to sue for more yet?
The greed in this country is at epidemic proportions.
Next our soldiers will be suing the government because they broke a nail in a war zone.
This is so common these days. People want big gov out of their lives except to fix the economy, fix healthcare, keep social security coming, provide protection, roads, bridges, and a slew of many other things. But hey, don't get in my face about politics. Deregulate wall street until everyone loses their money, then people scream "why didn't the SEC monitor and catch it". Hmmmm......
Now we have football players that from day one slam into each other like freight trains, take various types of vitamins, pills, concoctions, and anything else to boost performance and then get upset later in life when they have to live with the decisions they made in the early parts of their lives. And this is the NFL's fault? Coaches? I suppose it's everyone elses fault, just like everything else. It's never YOUR fault, always someone elses.
Want to make a change? People, stop playing the sport. People, stop paying the ticket prices. People – STOP and take responsibility for yourselves. Oh, wait, no........can't do that. That's hard work. We have to "offshore" "downstream" and "rightsize" our priorities first.
Good luck with that!