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.

[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

[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.

[Skinzman]

I think the older players have a point. The NFL 20-30 years ago and older trotted the players back out there within a few minutes of having a concussion. The original law suits were about the NFL studying concussions and hiding that info from the players because the players not playing was bad for the NFL. But players that have played recently have had enough information about short and long term damage from head injuries. I think the older players are making a mistake by allowing the newly retired ones to join the lawsuit. They knew the risks and played for millions over working in the private sector for $50k or less.

[Green Monk Machine]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Yup it's always on Goodell.

With the help of the owners and NFPLA, it sort of is- his agenda and show. I don't think it can be argued against that he has expanded the nfl product but in so doing its partially intended to be more exciting with higher scoring games and appealing to wider markets of kids, women, and the world.

Personally I think Thrusday night football, London games, talk of 18 game season, partial blame for rule changes that effect kickoffs, lowering helmet, celebrations, imposing cap penalties, and the change from laid back Taligliabeau to ruling with an iron fist and being an NFL Sheriff doesn't help his cause to like him or not judge him b/c football shouldn't become soft. I like defense.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by Green Monk Machine

With the help of the owners and NFPLA, it sort of is- his agenda and show. I don't think it can be argued against that he has expanded the nfl product but in so doing its partially intended to be more exciting with higher scoring games and appealing to wider markets of kids, women, and the world.

Personally I think Thrusday night football, London games, talk of 18 game season, partial blame for rule changes that effect kickoffs, lowering helmet, celebrations, imposing cap penalties, and the change from laid back Taligliabeau to ruling with an iron fist and being an NFL Sheriff doesn't help his cause to like him or not judge him b/c football shouldn't become soft. I like defense.

Goodell isn't the one suing for injuries sustained while playing. Nearly all these rules that "soften" the game, are being driven by the lawsuits of former players. The owners/Goodell are not suddenly humanitarians, they simply don't want to lose in court, and if they don't show attempts to protect and inform the players, they will lose.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Yup it's always on Goodell.

Goodell gave me a concussion in an incident involving a skateboard and a pony.