Clinton Portis sues NFL over concussions.

[12thMan]

Clinton Portis sues NFL over concussions - Washington Times

[Monkeydad]

Slightly misleading headline of course, he's joining 4,500 other players in an existing suit.

He definitely paid the price for his playing style. He was one of the hardest running, blocking, and hitting RBs in the game. His career did end far too soon and I do remember many of his concussions late in his career.

I'm not sure the players have a case though...they played this game voluntarily KNOWING that it was dangerous. They knew when they had concussions...and just because they didn't know the medical side effects and consequences does not mean they have grounds to sue their employer.

Just as someone who welds and works with hot metal knows there's a risk of being burnt while doing their job, a pro football player should know there's a chance he'll get hurt, especially head injuries when many were using their own head like weapons to run through opponents.

I understand his side and feel bad that he's going to suffer later in life for playing the game he loves, but I can't believe any of these players didn't see the risks.

[NC_Skins]

I guess Portis pockets ain't straight.

[Lotus]

Sheriff Gonna SueYa.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by Lotus

Sheriff Gonna SueYa.

lol...

In all seriousness, the NFL better be pooling alot of money together to settle these claims and claims in the future. Players will win this one if it goes to court imo.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by Chico23231

lol...

In all seriousness, the NFL better be pooling alot of money together to settle these claims and claims in the future. Players will win this one if it goes to court imo.

Not so sure. Even if it survives a motion to dismiss based on assumption of the risk, players still have to prove NFL knew or should have known these injuries likely to occur. Again, as someone said, they wore helmets and pads - of course injuries were likely, it was forseeable that the injuries could manifest themselves after they finished playing, and it forseeable that the exact nature of the future injury wouldn't be known until it actually manifested itself.

You knew the game was violent, you knew former players suffered from a variety of injuries and that some of these injuries were different from anything they suffered while playing. Further, no one knew about the significance or extent of damage done by concussions until very recently ... until then it was all conjecture.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Not so sure. Even if it survives a motion to dismiss based on assumption of the risk, players still have to prove NFL knew or should have known these injuries likely to occur. Again, as someone said, they wore helmets and pads - of course injuries were likely, it was forseeable that the injuries could manifest themselves after they finished playing, and it forseeable that the exact nature of the future injury wouldn't be known until it actually manifested itself.

You knew the game was violent, you knew former players suffered from a variety of injuries and that some of these injuries were different from anything they suffered while playing. Further, no one knew about the significance or extent of damage done by concussions until very recently ... until then it was all conjecture.

I dont know if the league is gonna want everything to come out on public record about what they didnt do in a trial. Im sure they are weighing the possible damage and how much to settle. What the initial settlement figures guess? Are we in hundred millions range or are we talking the dreaded billions figures?

[skinsfaninok]

Funny how these players weren't suing when they were getting game checks. It's probably because most of these bums don't want a real working job after football so they just try and get money the easy way

[SolidSnake84]

Originally Posted by skinsfaninok

Funny how these players weren't suing when they were getting game checks. It's probably because most of these bums don't want a real working job after football so they just try and get money the easy way

I agree with this post 100%. I think it is deplorable and pathetic that CP joins a long list of mostly broke and disgruntled ex-players. I saw CP's name pop up on total access this evening, along with Cadillac Williams, and Daunte Culpepper. I think it is more than a coincidence that all three players sucked at the end of their careers and it was obvious from listening to them speak that none of them was going to be able to do anything post-football.

I had heard that Portis was slightly better with his money than other ex-players who were in the lawsuit. I don't challenge Portis' number, but consider that he only was a full time starter for like 4 seasons due to other injuries, and that means he was clocking in at least 3 concussions a year.

Most all of them say that they have injury problems now that will prevent them from living a normal life. I wonder more if the fact that they don't know how to do anything else, most did not complete their education, and most are penniless, is what prevents them from living a normal life.

Our very own Pat White sued the NFL for "career ending injuries", but lo and behold he dropped the lawsuit when the Redskins came calling. And folks, it's a miracle, because now the guy who had all these problems and couldn't live a normal life is seemingly doing fine and back in the game....

[donofriose]

Even though I wouldn't call players that made the NFL bums, just because it seems like an insane amount of hard work just to make it to the NFL, let alone be extremely successful, I would say they have a sense of entitlement and they do feel the NFL owes them for what they did for the NFL... even though they got paid. It doesn't make sense to me but there are always people suing other people for their own problems. Seems more like a cultural problem than an NFL problem.

[over the mountain]

Without reading the complaint, its really hard to imagine that a modern day athlete didnt understand and assume the long term risks involved in playing football.

Especially after a player's first concussion, you would imagine he would be informed of what a concussion is, causes, side effects, ways to avoid future concussions, complications of repeated concussions etc ....

maybe the complaint focuses on NFL bylaws which limit a player's ability to seek an outside second medical opinion and that the players are claiming that each respective NFL team's medical staff intentionally under-informed players????? or intentionally under tested? who knows. I guess if one was to read the complaint, they would know.

[firstdown]

Wonder how many of the 4800 players are having financial issues.

[over the mountain]

22. The NFL caused or contributed to the injuries and increased risks to Plaintiffs
through its acts and omissions by, among other things: (a) historically ignoring the true risks of MTBI in NFL football; (b) failing to disclose the true risks of repetitive MTBI to NFL players; and (c) since 1994, deliberately spreading misinformation concerning the cause and effect relationship between MTBI in NFL football and latent neurodegenerative disorders and diseases.

23. On information and belief, the NFL’s motive to ignore and misrepresent the link
between MTBI sustained in NFL play and neuro-cognitive injury and decline was economic. The NFL knew or suspected that any rule changes that sought to recognize that link and the health risk to NFL players would impose an economic cost that would significantly and adversely change the profit margins enjoyed by the NFL and its teams.

^^ here is most succinct summary of the claims against the NFL. Athletic manufacturer Riddell is also a co-defendant for product liability.

* MTBI is a very funny term to me and I do not use it. Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ... no traumatic brain injury should be classified as "mild."

http://nflconcussionlitigation.com/w..._Complaint.pdf


my take - good luck. its analogous to me suing the entire car industry for not informing that car accidents may injure me. Oh and Im also going to sue the manufacturers for not making a 100% guaranteed safe vehicle for high speed head-on collisions.

[Green Monk Machine]

It's a violent sport that requires a helmet. Sort of at your own risk IMO. Idont think since rule changes are making the sport less is any indication of prior wrong doing, but retired players should be taken care of with a pension b/c Goodell is selling the sport out for billion$ and deserves to go to the workers and not his $30 million salary.

[MTK]

Yup it's always on Goodell.