I’m interested in seeing how the NFL survives the litany of lawsuits from former players and coaches.
According to the Associated Press, several high-profile plaintiffs have filed a lawsuit against the NFL, alleging that all 32 NFL teams encouraged the use of painkillers on their players.
Hundreds of former players have filed a lawsuit claiming all 32 NFL teams, their doctors, trainers and medical staffs obtained and provided painkillers to players — often illegally — as part of a decades-long conspiracy to keep them on the field without regard for their long-term health.
The lawsuit reprises some of the allegations made in a federal lawsuit last year on behalf of 1,300 former players against the NFL. That complaint was filed in May, 2014 and dismissed in December by Judge William Alsup of the U.S. Northern District in California. Alsup wrote that the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the NFL Players Association was the appropriate forum to resolve such claims. That decision is being appealed.
The plaintiffs’ attorney, Steve Silverman, list Don Shula, among the many coach and higher-ups, pushing players to shoot up or take pain pills.
“This lawsuit alleges intentional activity by the teams, not negligence,” Silverman said. “It’s another part of a unified effort to provide health care and compensation to the thousands of former players who have been permanently injured or died as a result of playing professional football.”