‘No Call’ case over Saints-Rams will go on
A Louisiana judge ruled Thursday that a damage lawsuit can continue against the NFL over the playoff “nocall” that helped the Los Angeles Rams beat the New Orleans Saints and advance to the 2019 Super Bowl.
State Civil District Court Judge Nicole Sheppard also ruled that attorney Antonio “Tony” LeMon can request documents and ask questions of NFL officials. LeMon said that means he will be able to question Com- missioner Roger Goodell and three game officials in depositions about the lack of a penalty — pass interference or roughness — against Rams cornerback Nickell RobeyColeman for his helmet-tohelmet hit on receiver Tommylee Lewis well before a pass arrived. The play came during a crucial point in January's NFC title game.
Attorneys representing the NFL in the case didn't immediately respond to emailed requests for comment. LeMon said he was informed Thursday that NFL attorneys, whose bid to stop the suit was rejected, would seek relief at a state appeal court.
LeMon says money isn't the object of the February suit he and three others filed, which alleges fraud by NFL officials. It seeks only $75,000, which LeMon said would go to charity.
“The purpose of the lawsuit is not to get some minuscule amount of money. They won't even notice that,” LeMon said. “It's to get at the truth.”
Other suits dealing with the blown call have wound up in federal court, where they have failed. They included one long-shot effort to have the game or a crucial part of it played over before the Rams met the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, which the Patriots won.
LeMon said that by seeking $75,000 in damages, he keeps the suit below a threshold that could result in it begin transferred to federal court, as other suits have been.
“I feel that their record in the federal courts is way too good,” he said. He also wants the case tried under Louisiana law and jurisprudence, he said.
MAN FINED FOR LASER POINT AT BRADY
A Missouri man has been fined $500 for pointing a laser at New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady during the AFC championship with the Kansas City Chiefs in January.
KMBC reports Dwyan Morgan pleaded guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor, disturbing the peace. He will pay the fine with no jail time.
Footage of the game showed a green light flashing on Brady late in the Patriots' 37-31 overtime win on Jan. 20 at Arrowhead Stadium. Prosecutors say Brady was unaware of the laser.
Laser pointers are banned from sports events and other activities because even a short burst of the light can damage the retina.