The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Concussion settlement coming
Ex-players told to get testing for NFL’s $1 billion payout.
A federal judge Wednesday urged NFL retirees to register for a concussion settlement that could cost the league $1 billion over 65 years.
About 22,000 retirees are encouraged to get baseline neurological testing. The league expects more than 6,000 to eventually be diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
The deal approved by Senior U.S. District Judge Anita Brody resolves thousands of lawsuits that accused the NFL of hiding what it knew about the risks of repeated concussions in order to return players to the field.
At a hearing Wednesday in Philadelphia, lawyers reminded participants they must register for the settlement by Aug. 7, which could make then eligible for treatment and damage awards.
The awards could reach several million dollars for younger men with the most severe neurological damage, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.
The average award is expected to be about $190,000 for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or moderate dementia.
The awards do not cover depression, mood disorders or future cases of chronic encephalopathy, or CTE, a degenerative brain disease associated with repeated blows to the head. CTE cannot be confirmed until after death.
“It’s been a long road for many of these NFL players and these families,” said Christopher Seeger, a lead player’s lawyer. “We’re finally at the point that we can roll out benefits ... that are greatly deserved and sorely needed.”
In a related note, Mike Adamle, a former NFL running back who went on to a long career as a Chicago and national sportscaster, told Chicago’s WMAQ-5 that he has dementia. Adamle, 67, acknowledged memory lapses and mood swings. He also said tests in January showed he likely has CTE.
Eagles: Cornerback Leodis McKelvin was released, saving $3.2 million in salary-cap space. McKelvin started 12 games in his only season in Philadelphia. He had two interceptions, including one returned 29 yards for a touchdown. McKelvin was a firstround pick by Buffalo in 2008 and spent his first eight seasons with the Bills before signing a two-year contract with the Eagles in March.
Falcons: After squandering a 25-point lead in the Super Bowl, Atlanta shook up its defensive staff by dismissing coordinator Richard Smith and line coach Bryan Cox.
Browns: Coming off a 1-15 season, Cleveland lowered the price of 40 percent of tickets in FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns said reducing ticket prices “was the right thing to do for our fans.” Prices will drop from $5 to $15 per game, depending on location.
■ The Browns hired former Bills assistant David Lee as their quarterbacks coach. Lee, 63, spent the past two seasons with the Bills. He also served as quarterbacks coach with the Jets, Dolphins and Cowboys.
Jets: New York signed free-agent offensive tackle Jeff Adams, who spent the last three seasons with the Texans.
■ The Jets claimed defensive lineman Mike Pennel, who was suspended twice last season, off waivers from the Packers.
Panthers: Linebacker and versatile special teams player Ben Jacobs was re-signed to a two-year contract.
Broncos: The team says it’s a two-man race for starting quarterback between incumbent Trevor Siemian and former first-round pick Paxton Lynch. “I’m happy with the guys we have,” new offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said. “That is our No. 1 focus right now to get the two quarterbacks that we have right now on our roster ready to play.”
Jonathan Toews scored a power-play goal 3:09 into overtime after Ryan Suter was called for holding. Toews slipped a rebound between the skates of goalie Darcy Kuemper. Toews also had two assists, and Richard Panik had a goal and an assist. Corey Crawford stopped 35 of 38 shots as the Blackhawks snapped an eightgame regular-season losing streak against Minnesota.
Defenseman David Savard missed his fourth consecutive game Tuesday with an undisclosed injury.
Mikko Rantanen’s hat trick in Tuesday night’s 4-0 win over the Canadiens was his first.
Rookie forward Travis Konecny will miss 4-6 weeks with injuries to his left ankle and knee. He was hurt Monday against St. Louis. He has 22 points and had just come off a two-game benching. The Flyers have been shut out in backto-back home games for the first time since 1999.