Four ex-players sue NFL alleging brain damage

[CityGirl]

Interesting. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/22/us-four-ex-players-idUSTRE7BL1YA20111222

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/4-former-players-suing-1267844.html

I was under the impression that one of the reasons players were paid so much was taking into consideration the hard hitting, injury prone nature of their jobs.

 

[Panacea]

The NFL is taking a lot more action against hits to the head. I'm not sure if lawsuits have caused this, or the lawsuits reflect the changes. It's sad to see an NFL player decline in health so bad. They're heroes to many, at least entertainment figures. It's a rough game.

 

[NoDak]

[h=2]Four ex-players sue NFL alleging brain damage[/h]
I only wanna know how they could tell! :sarcasm

 

[CityGirl]

Am I way off base or is this kind of like a serviceman suing because they sustained injuries in combat?

 

[NoDak]

I'd say, CG, that you're right on the money there.

 

[Panacea]

I don't think the lawsuits can be justified, really, no you're not off base. There's a lot more awareness of head injuries now, in general, I'm not sure the league did anything wrong in the way it handled hits back then.

 

[skyblue]

fuck me sideways......what did they expect,more body armour?

 

[Panacea]

I think the argument is these players were not entitled to proper protocol, which degraded their health. Protocol like players with head injuries not returning to the field without medical clearance, penalties for hits to the head to deter such behavior, more advanced helmet technology, etc.

Not saying I agree the NFL is at fault, or that people shouldn't expect injuries in contact sports, just offering their side.

 

[CityGirl]

Then too, these guys have played hard hitting contact sports since childhood...many starting in little league. Decades of that kind of abuse are going to take their toll. I don't see how the NFL can be held responsible. I know a lot of guys who played football only through high school who, to this day, still have aches and pains they attribute to their hs football days.

 

[Panacea]

For sure. My dad never made it to the NFL, but hell if he doesn't puff up with arthritis in certain weather from years of football... the guy can't lift his arm over his head :s

 

[hart]

I think this is bogus. What next, boxers? And at least the NFL players wear helmets.

 

[Alien Allen]

This will have a major impact on all sports if they win.

Think of all the older players that have been crippled due to playing.

They used to shoot em up and throw em back on the field.

Jim Otto is a prime example. Not sure if he is still alive but he was a lineman for the Oakland Raiders back 30 years ago or so. They did a show on 60 minutes about him as I recall about 10 years after retirement. He had the body of a crippled 90 year old due to the physical pounding he took.

 

[CityGirl]

I think this is bogus. What next, boxers? And at least the NFL players wear helmets.

Good point, Hart.

 

[Panacea]

This will have a major impact on all sports if they win.

Think of all the older players that have been crippled due to playing.

They used to shoot em up and throw em back on the field.

Jim Otto is a prime example. Not sure if he is still alive but he was a lineman for the Oakland Raiders back 30 years ago or so. They did a show on 60 minutes about him as I recall about 10 years after retirement. He had the body of a crippled 90 year old due to the physical pounding he took.

Wikipedia claims he's still alive; who knows, of course

 

[CityGirl]

I hate that the guys are experiencing painful and debilitating side effects but I hope this lawsuit is unsuccessful. They were all too happy to ride the wave of glory. They lived the dream many young men have to abandon. They know the cost. Hindsight is a bitch. Welcome to the real world.

 

[porterjack]

i would rather see franchise owners be required to offer advice and counselling to young palyers on a variety of issues

financial management
signs and symptoms of concussion
alchohol and drug issues

and how to retire gracefully

 

[hart]

Let's add, don't deal drugs or involve yourself in cock fights too

 

[Panacea]

I hate that the guys are experiencing painful and debilitating side effects but I hope this lawsuit is unsuccessful. They were all too happy to ride the wave of glory. They lived the dream many young men have to abandon. They know the cost. Hindsight is a bitch. Welcome to the real world.

I agree, I do. I don't think the lawsuits should be successful. But the cost doesn't have to be as high as these guys are experiencing, because of what the medical community now knows, and what rules have changed, and they're rightfully pissed. Now, I think they're pissed at the wrong people. It's one of those "ahhh fuck I did ______ during the wrong era!" situations where you have to just be pissed at the universe or something and move on.

 

[Panacea]

i would rather see franchise owners be required to offer advice and counselling to young palyers on a variety of issues

financial management
signs and symptoms of concussion
alchohol and drug issues
how to take flattering pictures of your penis to send to staffers

and how to retire gracefully

Fixed

 

[porterjack]

Let's add, don't deal drugs or involve yourself in cock fights too

and how to carry a concealed weapon so it does not go off by accident in a fucking nightclub
, and

how to choose sesnible acquaintances