FOR THE WEEK OF APR 15, 2013

Thousands of past players take on the National Football League over brain injuries

A federal judge in Philadelphia is considering the next step in a set of more than 200 lawsuits pitting the National Football League against more than 4,200 past players. Retired athletes accuse the league of negligence that exposed them to risks from brain injuries known as concussions. Some are battling memory loss, depression or other problems and blame the league for rushing them back on the field after concussions. Others worry about developing problems and want their health monitored.

At a court hearing last week, attorneys for the players argued that the NFL glorifies violence, profits from damaging hits to the head and concealed advances in knowledge about concussions over several decades. They told federal Judge Anita Brody that the NFL "deliberately and fraudulently" hid the dangers of head trauma. Players seek damage payments, treatment and ongoing medical checkups.

The pro league wants the suits blocked because, it says, teams have the main responsibility for health and safety under the players' union agreement. Judge Brody will decide whether the cases stay in court and get heard by a jury or are assigned to an arbitrator for a decision without a trial, a potentially less costly route that the league wants.

NFL says: "The clubs are the ones who had doctors on the sidelines who had primary responsibility for sending players back into the game." – Paul Clement, league attorney

Ex-player says: "The game is a safe game, the equipment is better. I don't buy all these guys coming back with these concussions. . . . Half these guys are trying to make money off the deal." – Deion Sanders, Hall of Fame member

Attorney says: "The NFL . . . has concealed relevant and crucial evidence from those whose very lives depend on the league's behaving in a responsible manner to protect them from these dangers." – Michael Kaplen, New York lawyer specializing in brain injury cases, blogging at Huffington Post

Front Page Talking Points Archive

Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.