NFL bids to halt lawsuits as brain injury furore grows

The NFL moved this week to try to shut down lawsuits filed by thousands of former players who say they suffered or fear suffering permanent brain injuries from football-related concussions, calling the issue a “labour dispute” that should be resolved not by courts but by terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

The players accuse the NFL of negligence and say league officials concealed known medical links between concussions and brain injuries, leading many of them to suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, or be at an increased risk of reckless or suicidal behaviour.

In a motion to dismiss the suits filed late Thursday night, the NFL argues the collective bargaining agreement covers safety and health rules — while delegating to each team decisions about a player’s condition and when they should return to play. And the league said the suits lack any specific proof of concealment.