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75 Former Players Reportedly Sue Nfl Over Brain Injuries

Earlier this week we discussed how devastating brain injuries can be and how it was recently reported that a traumatic brain injury (TBI) diagnosis even doubles the risk of dementia later on in life. Additionally, it has been proven that severe or multiple head injuries can lead to memory loss and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Because of this, a group of 75 former football players are reportedly suing the NFL for intentionally withholding knowledge of the damaging effects of concussions for 90 years. The players are allegedly seeking an unspecified amount in damages.

The lawsuit comes just months after doctors determined that one-time Chicago Bears star Dave Duerson had “classic” and “moderately advanced” symptoms of brain damage as a result of multiple concussions after he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound earlier this year.

According to TMZ.com, the group of plaintiffs includes former Pro Bowlers Mark Duper of the Miami Dolphins and Rodney Hampton of the New York Giants. Also named in the lawsuit is past Super Bowl MVP Ottis Anderson.

Each of the players named as plaintiffs in the suit claim to have suffered injuries are the result of multiple concussions, even though they allege that an NFL-endorsed study from 1994 determined there was “no evidence of worsening injury or chronic cumulative effects” from multiple concussions, TMZ.com reported.

TMZ.com also reported that the plaintiffs’ complaint states that “[t]he NFL knew as early as the 1920’s of the harmful effects on a player’s brain of concussions; however, until June of 2010 they concealed these facts from coaches, trainers, players and the public.”

Indeed, the NFL has recently made many changes to the game to give players more protection from concussions, including changing the rules on how, when and where players can be hit in play. New tests have also been adopted for in-game concussions and rules governing when players with head injuries are allowed to return to the game.

Additionally, the NFL has funded studies to find out what type of helmets best protect the players, and the commissioner of the league went before Congress in February asking lawmakers from all 50 states to pass proposed youth concussion laws.

Source: ESPN.com, “Report: 75 ex-players sue NFL,” 7/20/2011.