Scores of cases have been brought in federal court accusing the NFL of hiding information that linked football head-related trauma to permanent brain injuries. Now a federal suit brings them all together. Lawyers for former players say that more than 80 pending lawsuits are consolidated in the "master complaint" filed Thursday in Philadelphia, the Associated Press reports:
Plaintiffs hope to hold the NFL responsible for the care of players suffering from dementia, Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions. Other former players remain asymptomatic, but worry about the future and want medical monitoring.
The suit accuses the NFL of "mythologizing" and glorifying violence through the media, including its NFL Films division.
"The NFL, like the sport of boxing, was aware of the health risks associated with repetitive blows producing sub-concussive and concussive results and the fact that some members of the NFL player population were at significant risk of developing long-term brain damage and cognitive decline as a result," the complaint charges.
"Despite its knowledge and controlling role in governing player conduct on and off the field, the NFL turned a blind eye to the risk and failed to warn and/or impose safety regulations governing this well-recognized health and safety problem."
The league has denied similar accusations in the past.
Read more at ESPN.