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
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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It's time to put on the 'big boy jock straps' and stop wasting everyone's time. It's a contact sport – what did they think was going to happen. Blame the attorneys for promoting these frivilous lawsuits and just as importantly the judges who don't have the backbone to throw them out of court. Shame on you!
Joe, about 112K, smart guy.
They didn't seem so upset about it when they were in the spotlight and making millions.
These folk pursued this game from a young age to attain the position and level of play that they achieved. Now they want to be compensated for the injuries that they incurred playing a game that they willingly participated in for obscene amounts of money claiming they were blind to the consequences of that action. What's wrong here?.....
Hint, it's one of the many things that are wrong with America. People aren't willing to take responsibility for their actions and I'll include Corporations too since they're now considered people. Any thoughts folks?.....
This is dumb...as if someone really needs a warning to say that getting hit in the head a bunch of times is a bad thing?? Getting hit in the head once isn't good.
MP, it's still not the same as 1 million dollars, keep in mind the players only played for less than five years.
The way NFL players tackle is not how they are taught to tackle. From the very start, players are taught to look at whom they are tackling and to not use their heads. Somewhere along the line this lesson gets lost.
There are two choices, either shut down the NFL, or have each player sign a waiver. I
I agree with the people saying that these players who are over the age of 2 should know that banging your head could cause injury. Our society has become one where we do not have to accept any responsibility for our actions and I would be ashamed to have my name on such a lame ass law suit. Now because of such lawsuits I have to look at the calories on every fast food menu – please, I know that stuff can make me fat but someone actually sued McDonald's.
You are very correct Kelly, couldn't have said it better
Seriously, the NFL needs to tell them that ramming their head and bodies into other people and the ground over and over is bad for their health? I'm no rocket scientist but I figured that out when I learned how to walk.
The case is to prove the NFL withheld knowledge of the dangerousness that WAS NOT available to the players. If this can be proven, players win. Just like any other workplace injury lawsuit. I played football and there were LOTS of times I was told to "get back in there" – thats not what this case is about. Its about deliberately withholding info. If the players win, I would not be surprised to see this trickle down to college, highschool and younger players who received serious head/spine injuries.
If u can't figure out that's it bad for ur health ur a moron and the information is everywhere the info is there for them all they have to do is talk to there medical personal the info us always there
Gee, don't tell me boxers are next that they didn't know being punched in the head 14,000 times will mess you up?
They want the glory and the money without the risks. These are adult men that should know the risks involved in the profession they chose.
I'm going to sue GM. They didn't tell my I would die if I hit a tree doing 120mph.
I'm hiring people for a simple job. Just repeatedly smash your face into oncoming traffic. Pay is commensurate based on experience but the average person can expect upwards of $375k the first year! Sign up now!!
How is that safe you say? Sorry, but you aren't suitable for this job.