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Finally, retired NFL players and the league have reached an agreement regarding illnesses received post-career.

 

In a recent court order, a federal judge has awarded $800 million in damages to several retirees. The case, which has been ongoing since 2011, was a battle for many players who believed that due to the rigorous and dangerous on-field plays they encountered health issues (i.e. Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Depression).  According to the Associated Press…

 

More than 4,500 former athletes — some suffering from dementia, depression or Alzheimer’s that they blamed on blows to the head — have sued the NFL since the first case was filed in Philadelphia in 2011. They accused the league of concealing the long-term dangers of concussions and rushing injured players back onto the field, while glorifying and profiting from the game’s violence.

 

The settlement would cover all 18,000 former NFL players and totals $765 million, the vast majority of which would go to compensate athletes with certain neurological ailments. It would also set aside $75 million for medical exams and $10 million for medical research.

 

Individual payouts would be capped at $5 million for men with Alzheimer’s disease; $4 million for those diagnosed after their deaths with a brain condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy; and $3 million for players with dementia, said lead plaintiffs’ lawyer Christopher Seeger.

 

The NFL, which has annual revenue of about $9 billion, has insisted that safety has always been a top priority, and in settling the thousands of cases it admitted no wrongdoing.

 

 

Although some NFL players have developed these illnesses, the league still stands by its oath that “safety comes first.”  However, due to the affects these health issues has had on football players (retired and present), the NFL will implement new rules and regulations to eliminate hits to the head and neck areas.  One rule is that ball carriers can no longer use the crown of their helmet to make contact with defenders. Also, any player that suffers a concussion while on the field will not be allowed to play or practice until they have been thoroughly evaluated by an independent neurologist.