Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

[url=http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6874906/jim-mcmahon-other-former-players-sue-nfl-concussions]Jim McMahon, other former players sue NFL over concussions - ESPN[/url]

I doubt this will drum up much interest, but I think it's interesting. I do tend to believe that in the older days the NFL certainly didn't discourage players from leading with their head, and I'm sure they had to know it wasn't good for the brain either. These ex-players might have something on their hands here.

"The other plaintiffs include offensive tackle Joe Thomas, 26, who left the league in 2010 after five seasons with the Cleveland Browns" -

Does anybody remember reading about this? I was completely unaware Joe Thomas doesn't play for the Browns anymore. I don't even remember reading anything that says he retired. And I don't see how he's played 5 seasons since he was drafted in '07.

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

Must be a different Joe Thomas.

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

[quote=FRPLG;824643]Must be a different Joe Thomas.[/quote]

I think they mixed their facts up. There's no other offensive tackle named Joe Thomas who played for the Browns from 2005-2010, especially considering JT was drafted in 2007 and is still playing.

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

I am not surprised. Although the new CBA does address some retired player issues, it did not go as far as the players wanted.

It seems to me that this is something that the NFL can resolve out-of-court with $$$ and new safety rules. But it will be interesting to see how this plays out. There are some potentially large ramifications for all levels of the game at play here.

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

[quote=Lotus;824649]I am not surprised. Although the new CBA does address some retired player issues, it did not go as far as the players wanted.

It seems to me that this is something that the NFL can resolve out-of-court with $$$ and new safety rules. But it will be interesting to see how this plays out. There are some potentially large ramifications for all levels of the game at play here.[/quote]

I pretty much agree with your post, although I do think how much money was devoted to the retirees in the CBA was a big step forward. As far as the lawsuit goes, depending on how much evidence the retirees have, it will probably be settled out-of-court, since the NFL probably doesn't want to take its' chances with a judge.

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

Someone must have made an error. JT is still playing. Seems it's been corrected now in the article.

Interesting that Mike Furrey is on that list too. Remember the Mike Furrey era in DC? Almost as memorable as the Bobby Wade era

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

[quote=mooby;824642][URL="http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6874906/jim-mcmahon-other-former-players-sue-nfl-concussions"]Jim McMahon, other former players sue NFL over concussions - ESPN[/URL]

I doubt this will drum up much interest, but I think it's interesting. I do tend to believe that in the older days the NFL certainly didn't discourage players from leading with their head, and I'm sure they had to know it wasn't good for the brain either. These ex-players might have something on their hands here.

.[/quote]

I'll probly get jumped but would'nt you think the players knew also,I mean I know if I drive my car into a wall at 100mph......I might get hurt,so why do it?And then I go after the people who made the car for not making me do it?

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

[quote=Giantone;824709]I'll probly get jumped but would'nt you think the players knew also,I mean I know if I drive my car into a wall at 100mph......I might get hurt,so why do it?And then I go after the people who made the car for not making me do it?[/quote]

I agree with you. Nobody forced these guys to play football and now they are blaming the NFL for their problems, I just dont buy it.

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

The suit alleges the NFL knew as early as the 1920s of the harmful effects of concussions but concealed them from coaches, trainers, players and the public until June 2010. It also names helmet-maker Riddell, the NFL's official helmet supplier.

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

see cigarette lawsuits...It's bad for you? Who...knew?
I regret that these players have, I am sure horrible side effects, they continued to play even though they knew there may be a price to pay....sorry.

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

From what I have read football helmets were designed to stop players from fracturing their skulls but not designed to reduce concussions. Obviously more work needs done on helmet design.

I also wonder why they are just hitting the NFL & Riddel, why not the NCAA, each players specific college and high school? Surely concussions happened there as well.

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

[quote=irish;824773]From what I have read football helmets were designed to stop players from fracturing their skulls but not designed to reduce concussions. Obviously more work needs done on helmet design.

I also wonder why they are just hitting the NFL & Riddel, why not the NCAA, each players specific college and high school? Surely concussions happened there as well.[/quote]

The (MTBIC) Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee was established by the NFL in 1994 to study the risk of long-term brain injury to players. The suit contends that the committee published "false, distorted and deceiving" findings that the risk was minimal in order to deceive Congress, players and the public.

The NFL only warned active players in June 2010 of the risks associated with multiple concussions and Riddell failed to warn active players until around the same time, the suit claims.

The NFL has never warned past players, according to the suit.

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

[quote=Giantone;824709]I'll probly get jumped but would'nt you think the players knew also,I mean I know if I drive my car into a wall at 100mph......I might get hurt,so why do it?And then I go after the people who made the car for not making me do it?[/quote]

Well think about it. You want to make the team, prove to the coaches that you will do everything possible you can to be the best player you can be, and you're probably not thinking about your future as much as you're thinking about the present. They probably knew the dangers too and chose to ignore them, so the blame is partly on them too.

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I don't really know why...but this kind of reminds me of the McDonald's "coffee is too hot" lawsuit

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

YES.....it does

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

[quote=irish;824773]From what I have read football helmets were designed to stop players from fracturing their skulls but not designed to reduce concussions. Obviously more work needs done on helmet design.

I also wonder why they are just hitting the NFL & Riddel, why not the NCAA, each players specific college and high school? Surely concussions happened there as well.[/quote]

In filing lawsuits, it pays to name as defendants as many entities as you can so long as they have "deep pockets". Most high schools do not have "deep pockets". I suspect that has as much to do with the decision here as anything else.

By the way, if the NFL and the NFLPA are serious about reducing concussions - - not eliminating them but reducing them - - they will go back to leather helmets with no face guards.

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

[quote=SmootSmack;825191]I don't really know why...but this kind of reminds me of the McDonald's "coffee is too hot" lawsuit[/quote]

To me,this is more like the Lawm mower lawsuit.If you buy a mower you'll see a warning ..."not to put your hands under the mowing deck while the moter is running"!!! What happen was some idiot tried to lift his mower up to trim his hedges....well take a guess, and he sued and won.

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

[quote=sportscurmudgeon;825317]In filing lawsuits, it pays to name as defendants as many entities as you can so long as they have "deep pockets". Most high schools do not have "deep pockets". I suspect that has as much to do with the decision here as anything else.

By the way, if the NFL and the NFLPA are serious about reducing concussions - - not eliminating them but reducing them - - they will go back to leather helmets with no face guards.[/quote]

That's kind of my point, its all about the $ and not really about the concussions.

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

[quote=sportscurmudgeon;825317]In filing lawsuits, it pays to name as defendants as many entities as you can so long as they have "deep pockets". Most high schools do not have "deep pockets". I suspect that has as much to do with the decision here as anything else.

By the way, [B]if the NFL and the NFLPA are serious about reducing concussions - - not eliminating them but reducing them - - they will go back to leather helmets with no face guards.[/B][/quote]

Mike Ditka has been preaching a similar thing for years........

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

[quote=SmootSmack;825191]I don't really know why...but this kind of reminds me of the McDonald's "coffee is too hot" lawsuit[/quote]
Difference is McDonalds is not telling the customers to spill it on themselves. In football the players are doing what is asked of them and using the protective equipment provided to do that job.

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[quote=Leader In Sports;825424]Difference is McDonalds is not telling the customers to spill it on themselves. In football the players are doing what is asked of them and using the protective equipment provided to do that job.[/quote]

See here is the thing ...never in my life have I ever heard a coach tell a player to "lead with their head",....it's always been keep your head up,put your face in his numbers, and keep your head on a swivel!No coach or Owner ...or the league has asked them to lead with their head , people still die in cars wearing seatbelts.Just make the game 2 hand touch(flag is to dangerous).When does the player take responsibility for the way he plays?

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[quote=Giantone;825466]See here is the thing ...never in my life have I ever heard a coach tell a player to "lead with their head",....it's always been keep your head up,put your face in his numbers, and keep your head on a swivel!No coach or Owner ...or the league has asked them to lead with their head , people still die in cars wearing seatbelts.Just make the game 2 hand touch(flag is to dangerous).When does the player take responsibility for the way he plays?[/quote]

Concussions come from more than just leading with their heads. Do you really think Steve Young, Troy Aikman were "leading with their head" at a defensive player? It is a work related injury.

If you work a jack hammer for living and use the hearing protection provided and still end up going deaf, isn't your employer still responsible to help with the medical issues? What if that jack hammer effects your joints from all the constant banging where you aren't able to lift a bag of groceries when you are 50? Should the employer say "it isn't our fault because you chose to operate the jack hammer"?

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[quote=Leader In Sports;825521]

If you work a jack hammer for living and use the hearing protection provided and still end up going deaf, isn't your employer still responsible to help with the medical issues? What if that jack hammer effects your joints from all the constant banging where you aren't able to lift a bag of groceries when you are 50? Should the employer say "it isn't our fault because you chose to operate the jack hammer"?[/quote]

No, my employer is not responsible,he provided as much safty as was avaiable at the time then the rest falls on me.

I work in refrigeration,other then what I get at work....the long term effects are all my responsibility.

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[quote=Giantone;825534]No, my employer is not responsible,he provided as much safty as was avaiable at the time then the rest falls on me.

I work in refrigeration,other then what I get at work....the long term effects are all my responsibility.[/quote]

Actually, the first part of your statement is what is in question. I will give you an example. Years ago my son worked in fast food and was cleaning a piece of equipment (a warmer of some sort). My son slipped and got burned by the equipment. Do you think the kid working minimum wage is responsible for the medical bills, or do you think it is the employer?

The answer is the employer has to pay the medical bills from his employees being injured on the job. Why is the NFL any different than Arbys?

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

[quote=Leader In Sports;825536]Actually, the first part of your statement is what is in question. I will give you an example. Years ago my son worked in fast food and was cleaning a piece of equipment (a warmer of some sort). My son slipped and got burned by the equipment. Do you think the kid working minimum wage is responsible for the medical bills, or do you think it is the employer?

The answer is the employer has to pay the medical bills from his employees being injured on the job. Why is the NFL any different than Arbys?[/quote]


There is a very big difference in Arbys workmans comp and playing a profesional sport,the teams do provide medical with first rate doctors, but that isn't what these ex players are suing for.
.

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

[QUOTE=Leader In Sports;825521]Concussions come from more than just leading with their heads. Do you really think Steve Young, Troy Aikman were "leading with their head" at a defensive player? It is a work related injury.

QUOTE]

Yes,Steve Young and Aikman have both lead with their heads .(to get the first or the TD or get out of bounds)...ya don't slide on a QB sneak
So in your mind it was the NFL, ...not college, or high school, or Pop warner.....just the NFL.

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[quote=Giantone;825577]There is a very big difference in Arbys workmans comp and playing a profesional sport,the teams do provide medical with first rate doctors, but that isn't what these ex players are suing for.
.[/quote]
So, they have great medical care while they are playing - GREAT!!!. What about the long term injuries they sustained from their employment. I see so many of these guys and they are unable to take care of themselves. John Mackey was a perfect example of how his family ended up having to take care of him from his long term injuries that the NFL did nothing to help for a majority of John's life.

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Its about the money and nothing else.

Re: Ex-players suing the NFL for negligence
 

[quote=Leader In Sports;825620]So, they have great medical care while they are playing - GREAT!!!. What about the long term injuries they sustained from their employment. I see so many of these guys and they are unable to take care of themselves. John Mackey was a perfect example of how his family ended up having to take care of him from his long term injuries that the NFL did nothing to help for a majority of John's life.[/quote]

Did he play when he shouldn't have ,do you kinow everything there is to know about his case,no you don't.I'm not saying the NFL shouldn't do more but you haven't answered about the responsibility of the player yet, are the players responsible for anything that happens to them?