Widow Of Former Ravens Player A Part Of New Lawsuit Against NFL Teams
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Painkiller complaints. A federal lawsuit is filed against NFL teams across the country by a Baltimore-based attorney.
Mary Bubala with more on the lawsuit and what it means for the league.
The lawsuit claims teams conspired to keep hundreds of injured players on the field by pressuring them to take painkillers.
The lawsuit filed on behalf of more than 200 former football players accuses the NFL's 32 franchises of conspiring to create a "return to play" culture that permeates professional football.
The lawsuit alleges teams pressured injured players to take painkillers illegally administered by team physicians without proper prescriptions and with minimal--if any--explanation of risk.
"Each and every player that's we've spoken to discusses being pumped up with medications without warnings without prescriptions without examination," said Steve Silverman, attorney.
Instead of aiming at the NFL directly, Silverman is suing the franchises--including the Baltimore Ravens--after a similar lawsuit he filed on behalf of players was dismissed in California last year.
The widow of former Baltimore Ravens fullback Chuck Evans is part of the new lawsuit. It alleges Evans developed an addiction to painkillers as a result of his football career and died of heart failure in 2008. He was just 41 years old.
"Many players are suffering from heart disease and all types of other ailments as a result of the cocktailing of medications. The body can't process these medications," Silverman said.
Several big name coaches are also named in the lawsuit, including former Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula. He declined to comment.
WJZ reached out to the Baltimore Ravens for comment. They said they prefer the NFL speaks on the issue.
The lawsuit aims to provide compensation, medical screening and health insurance for the former players.