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Lawsuit: NFL Hid Concussion Effects for 90 Years

75 ex-players suing the league

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 20, 2011 9:12 AM CDT

(Newser) – A group of 75 former NFL players is suing the league, claiming that it has been hiding the harmful effects of the concussions for nearly a century. “The NFL knew as early as the 1920s of the harmful effects on a player's brain of concussions,” the lawsuit reads, according to a copy obtained by TMZ. "However, until June of 2010 they concealed these facts from coaches, trainers, players, and the public."

All the players in the suit say they’ve suffered ill effects from on-field concussions—which the NFL last year acknowledged can include dementia, memory loss, CTE, and more. Among those filing the suit are former Dolphins wide receiver Mark Duper, and former Giants running backs Otis Anderson and Rodney Hampton. The suit also names helmet manufacturer Riddell as a co-defendant.

Running back Rodney Hampton of the New York Giants moves the ball during a game against the San Diego Chargers at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Running back Rodney Hampton of the New York Giants moves the ball during a game against the San Diego Chargers at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.   (Getty Images)
Wide receiver Mark Duper of the Miami Dolphins runs with the ball during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Wide receiver Mark Duper of the Miami Dolphins runs with the ball during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida.   (Getty Images)
Running back Ottis Anderson of the New York Giants looks on during the Giants 38-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California.
Running back Ottis Anderson of the New York Giants looks on during the Giants 38-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
GreekChorus
Jul 20, 2011 1:39 PM CDT
How could the NFL "hide" something that's been common knowledge for decades?
finkster
Jul 20, 2011 10:18 AM CDT
I can empathize with NFL players but they make more money while playing the game than most of us will ever make in a lifetime and now they want more money? 
cmenthead
Jul 20, 2011 9:55 AM CDT
hey, football has always been a violent sport.  but why stop with the nfl and helmet makers ?  how about pee-wee football, high school and colleges surely were complacent.  and let's not forget to sue their parents, their coaches, and their agents, and their attorneys !!...GASP..how about their union.    Hell, even the fans must have known !! folks, this is an example of what our legal system has become. it's ALWAYS somebody elses fault. surely these athletes had their own doctors. hey, are they also responsible?  anybody out there that doesn't understand that there is a possibility that concussions are harmful ??shouldn't

 
NFL • lawsuit • class action • concussions • football concussion rules • class action lawsuits

 
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