Jesse Reed
Concussion lawsuit
2012 was a really, really bad year for the NFL. In addition to the replacement refs and Boutygate disaster, over 2,000 former players filed a lawsuit against the league, alleging a huge cover-up as it relates to concussions and the damage they do to the brain.
“Despite its knowledge and controlling role in governing player conduct on and off the field, the NFL turned a blind eye to the risk and failed to warn and/or impose safety regulations governing this well-recognized health and safety problem,” the players alleged.
The league eventually settled with the players, rather than face a protracted and very public court battle. Each player in the suit, which grew from the original 2,000-plus to over 5,000, is due up to $5 million to combat the effects of serious medical conditions associated with repeated head trauma.
There has long been a perception that the league only cares about the bottom line, rather than the players who give their bodies up on a weekly basis for this game. This lawsuit could be the tip of the iceberg on this front, and the new Will Smith movie “Concussion” will not help the NFL combat this perception, either.
