Concussion lawsuit seeks long-term solution

Linebacker Junior Seau is one of several players who have committed suicide in recent years. Winslow Townson AP Photo

The NFL is a violent place. That is why collision-loving fans pay a lot of money to watch it. It is also why some athletes have had to pay the ultimate price for playing it.

A federal judge rejected the NFL’s US$765 million (Dh2.8 billion) concussion lawsuit settlement this week, citing a concern that the fund may prove to be insufficient.

The money is supposed to cover any retired player dealing with concussion symptoms now and for the next 65 years.

But Anita B Brody, a US district court judge, is worried the well could go dry in far less time, perhaps as quickly as a few decades.

More than 4,500 former players, or their family members, have filed suits, some accusing the league of fraud for its handling of concussions. They include the Super Bowl champion quarterback Jim McMahon, who at age 54 has dementia, and the Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett.

Three prominent former players – Dave Duerson, Ray Easterling and Junior Seau – committed suicide in a 15-month period.

Reports show that an increasing number of retired NFL players who suffered concussions developed memory and cognitive issues, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, depression and chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

The easiest way to fix this problem is for the league to guarantee it will provide more money if the fund runs out.

With the NFL gathering more than $9bn in annual revenues, it seems the straightforward ­solution.

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