For some time now, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football has been in the middle of a massive lawsuit that, if it goes a certain way, will change sports for good. The brain injury lawsuit currently underway will hold incredible repercussions for the sport, and could lead to transformative changes at all levels of not just football, but all sports.
The case argues that NCAA ‘dropped the ball’ when dealing with the protection of the brains of a football player. This is the argument put across by the widow of a now-deceased player. The lawsuit is built around chronic traumatic encephalopathy, otherwise known as CTE. It’s a neurodegenerative illness, and has become a major talking point in sport very quickly.
The National Football League (NFL) settled for around $1bn with the families of players who had suffered brain damage. The College Athlete’s League also agreed to provide free bi-annual medical screening for all athletes. Now, the NCAA is set to take the matter to public court as they head to Texas civil court to fight their corner.
Starting on June 11th, the trial is a landmark case in that it’s the first time NCAA reps will be answering questions in a court with regards to brain injuries, their knowledge of CTE and whether information was concealed with regards to the potential for danger.
A landmark moment in sporting history
Debra Hardin-Ploetz, the plaintiff in the case, is the widow of Greg Ploetz. Ploetz was a linebacker and defensive tackle for the University of Texas, playing from 1968-1972. He died in 2015, and Boston University neurologists spent time looking at his brain. They found that he suffered from the ‘most severe’ form of CTE, and that this played a major role in what killed Ploetz.
Suffering from major symptoms including aggression and severe confusion, he eventually lost the ability to respond to questions outside of single answer response, and he needed full-time medical care.
Suing for $1m on the grounds of negligence in warning or protecting Ploetz and those like him about CTE, and also for wrongful death – a negligence claim made specifically about the case of Greg Ploetz.
While the NCAA argues that Ploetz was aware of the dangers of contact sport that they are not responsible, the argument is different. Indeed, there was no public policy during the time when Ploetz played: no rules existed either about what colleges had to tell players. While today such plans would be needed to help offer care for any concussed athlete, back then there was no such treatment plan in place.
They also must now sign a waiver, saying that they understand that this particular sport leaves them with the chance for severe head injuries. The addition of knee pads, shoulder pads, mouth guards and helmets are also mandatory now, as part of the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment procedure.
Naturally, this case will play a determining role in what happens in the future with many athletes previously impacted.
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