Every week it seems another group of former NFL players joins the lawsuit against the league for concealing the risks of concussions and/or failing to do enough to protect players from said risks.
Today, Hausfeld LLP announced that its existing 100-plus-player lawsuit has added another 100-plus players, pushing the total to 216. (Hundreds of other players have also filed suit.)
The lead plaintiff was and still is Brent Boyd (pictured), a former offensive linemen and (according to the lawsuit) the only living player who has been diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephelopathy, a brain condition arising from repeated blows to the head.
The amended complaint includes among it total plaintiffs the following players: Lem Barney, John Banaszak, Steve Bartkowski, John Cappelletti, Joe DeLamielleure, Conrad Dobler, Ken Easley, Joe Ferguson, Mel Gray, Randy Gradishar, Cliff Harris, Paul Krause, Bruce Laird, Rod Martin, Mike Merriweather, Tommy Nobis, Fred Smerlas, Phil Villapiao,
“Each of these NFL retirees, regardless of their age, position, or tenure in the NFL, has suffered significantly as a result of the NFL’s conduct,” said lawyer Rich Lewis in a news release from the firm. “For too long, the players who have made the game what it is today have been neglected by the NFL, and now they need sophisticated medical treatment. This lawsuit seeks to hold the NFL accountable and provide former players with the medical care that they deserve.”
That quote will do little to change the minds of those who believe that, for a certain number of the former players, the claims arise from the belief that the modern NFL hasn’t done enough to take care of the men on whose shoulders the current custodians of the game currently are standing. Ultimately, however, the plaintiffs will need proof -- proof of liability and proof of actual harm. Though it’s unclear how Boyd was diagnosed with a brain condition that requires analysis of brain tissue, the fact that Boyd has the condition could mean that others will need to show that they have it, too.
Regardless, the concussion lawsuits will continue to be filed, and with each new filing the former players who have yet to join the effort may inch closer to doing the same thing.
