A Self-Induced "Headache" For The NFL: A Report On The NFL- Concussion Litigation

This paper will briefly address the medical evidence of long-term effects from brain injuries that resulted from playing in the NFL, as well as review the history and science of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and Doctor Omalu’s groundbreaking discovery. However, the focus of this report with remain on the NFL’s response to this information and on the legal claims that the class of Retired Players can and have asserted, as well as the moral obligation that the NFL failed to provide. The main arguments of the Retired NFL Players included, 1) That a duty clearly existed for the NFL to protect its players against long-term health effects from head injuries suffered during NFL games, and that this duty was independent of their collective bargaining agreement. 2) The NFL concealed scientific data that they themselves collected and were fully aware of, from its players in order to not potentially risk their involvement in professional football games. 3) The NFL and its team owners conspired to reject scientific findings that clearly proved the long-term consequences of concussions. After discussing the details of the cases brought forward by retired NFL Players and both side’s assertions, I will be assessing the $1 Billion settlement that was finalized in December of 2016, between the Plaintiffs and the National Football League and it’s implications on the NFL and its reputation as well as what it accomplished for the retired NFL players.