More than 125 former NFL players are suing the league and Riddell. Riddell has been the official helmet brand of the NFL since 1989. The players are suing because they feel that the league and Riddell concealed the dangerous effects of concussions from them. The players claim that the NFL knew about these harmful risks since the 1920s. This case is important because many former players are suffering from the effects of the concussions. The former players don’t want the current players to end up in the same situation. This blog post is going to tell you the facts behind this case between the NFL, Riddell and the former NFL players.
The NFL knew in 1928 that concussions have long-term effects. This knowledge was brought to the table when dementia pugilistica was discovered. Dementia pugilistica was also known as punch drunk. This disorder was first discovered in boxers. Boxers suffered from slowed movement, confusion, speech problems and tremors due to repeated hits to the head. This disorder was renamed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in 1996. This was initially only found in boxers, but later was found in athletes involved in football, soccer and wrestling.
The NFL did a study in 1994 on concussions and their effects on the players. The Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee established by the NFL conducted the research. The research was published in 2004 stating that there was no evidence of worsening injury or chronic long-term effects. They also found that players could safely return to play the same day that the concussion occurred. They said that this would not lead to consequences. These results told the players that concussions would not lead to harmful effects. How could the NFL say this is true when they knew about the effects that boxers were experiencing? Then they went ahead and told players to return to play after they had a concussion. This alone is the worst thing they could have told the players. They weren’t able to heal and this is what has lead to the long-term effects the players are suffering.
Now that you know about the study I want to share with you the facts about CTE. CTE has been found in 93 percent of former NFL players studied by the Boston University School of Medicine. CTE is similar to Alzheimer’s in that they have the same effects. In regards to this case it’s important that you see how it’s prevented. This will show that the NFL was not only wrong about the chronic long term effects, but that they were wrong about the timing in regards to playing after a concussion. In order to prevent CTE recovery time is an important part. Current research shows that players should stay out of play for a minimum of five days. There should be a graduated increase in activity this ensures that the players’ injury heals. Some players may need more than five days. It is important that sports medicine professionals look over athletes after a concussion to ensure that they are healing properly. They can also assist in ensuring that athletes have the proper recovery time. Another suggestion made to prevent CTE is to reduce full contact practices and change helmets. The new CBA addressed the number of full contact practices. The helmets need to be looked over and the NFL needs to find a helmet that offers the highest safety to the players. As of now CTE has no treatment. In the past this disease has not been detected until the player has been deceased.
In 2010 the NFL changed their mind regarding the study and they issued a warning to players that concussions could lead to memory loss, CTE and dementia. If this is the case former NFL players were not informed of the effects that concussions would have on them. Only current players were informed on the effects when this warning came out. Former players and the public were kept in the dark regarding the matter. When the NFL found the link between concussion and their effects it was their duty to change the rules in order to protect the players. They also should have warned the former players. The fact that they didn’t led to injuries and deaths in former players.
The current lawsuit just moved into litigation. The players have three goals in this suit. The first goal is to ensure that current players are protected so that they don’t end up in the same position. The second goal is to set up medical care for the players that have these symptoms so that they can get help as long as they need it. The last goal is to get compensation for the lack of information regarding concussions. Most of these players are unable to work due to their condition.
The NFL on the other hand claims that the players knew that there were risks when they chose to play the game. They said that there was no misconduct or liability on the part of the NFL. The NFL says that player safety has always been important and they are not responsible for injuries. They have assumed the risk by choosing to play football. The NFL also claims that the players knew the effects of concussions. As far as Riddell is concerned they are just as responsible when it comes to not informing players about the effects of concussions. They should have known all along as the distributor of helmets. Riddell has declined to speak in regards to the litigation. Both Riddell and the NFL are responsible under tort law because they were involved in the act of selling and distributing a product that had inadequate warnings. Both are responsible in making this right. Former players deserve to be compensated for the inadequate warnings.
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