Concussion Lawsuits Nag The NFL
Follow
By DERON SNYDER
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman was at a forum in Los Angeles recently, discussing the city’s chances of acquiring an NFL franchise, when the conversation turned to concussions. Aikman, who suffered from several concussions during his Hall of Fame career, sounded an ominous note about their potential effect.
League officials and owners are “very concerned about concussions,” he said, adding, “The long-term viability, to me anyway, is somewhat in question as far as what this game is going to look like 20 years from now.”
Aikman wouldn’t prevent his son, if he had one, from playing, “but I don’t know if I would be encouraging him to play. Whereas with the other sports, you want your kids to be active and doing those types of things.”
Concussions have been a major issue in the NFL since at least December 2009, when the league conceded publicly for the first time that occurrences can have lasting consequences. Former players suffering from possible brain injuries have gained increased attention, and several lawsuits have been filed, including a class-action suit in December. A website has been established for retired players who have questions.
On Thursday the family of Dave Duerson filed the latest lawsuit. Duerson, a former Chicago Bears star who committed suicide last February at the age of 50, suspected that head trauma during his career had caused his mental state to deteriorate. He shot himself in the heart and left his brain to research, which proved him right.
