Concussion claims hit $500 million
More than $500 million in claims were approved as of Monday under the NFL’s concussion settlement, nearly a decade earlier than league officials estimated they would reach that amount.
Claims administrators in the settlement released an updated report saying about $502 million had been approved in less than two years of the settlement. The NFL originally estimated a little more than $400 million would be paid out in the first decade. Attorneys for retired players adjusted their estimates on the total payout of expected claims this month, saying the settlement would likely reach $1.4 billion, almost a half billion more than the NFL originally estimated.
“The fact that $500 million in claims have been approved in less than two years proves that this settlement is fulfilling its promise to former NFL players and their families,” said Christopher Seeger, co-lead class counsel for the former NFL players.
The settlement, which took effect January 2017, resolved thousands of lawsuits that accused the NFL of hiding what it knew about the risks of repeated concussions.
Hall of Fame: Despite his decision to skip Saturday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, Terrell Owens will be honored by the hall for his NFL career. Owens will be part of the 2018 class exhibit that includes a glass locker for each new member; their pictures on the light standards of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium; and mention in any reference to the 2018 class. NFL Network and ESPN will show a video of Owens’ career to the audience at home.
Jets: Signed Sam Darnold to a four-year, $30.25 million deal, ending the rookie QB’s holdout.DarnoldwastheNo.3 overall pick in the draft. He’s expected to compete for the starting job.
Lions: RB LeGarrette Blount returned to camp and declined interview requests a day after walking off the field during practice.
Panthers: Suffered their second potentially significant training camp injury in three days as CB Ross Cockrell was carted off the field with a lower left leg injury. Carolina lost starting RT Daryl Williams to a knee injury Saturday.
ODDS AND ENDS
NBA: The Hawks waived Carmelo Anthony, making official the move that was expected when the 10time All-Star was traded from Oklahoma City this month. Anthony may now sign with another team as a free agent.
MLB: The Astros traded closer Ken Giles to the Blue Jays along with a pair of pitching prospects for Roberto Osuna, who is eligible to pitch starting Sunday after a 75-game suspension under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy.
■ Seattle acquired lefthanded reliever Zach Duke from Minnesota for two minor leaguers.
■ Braves LHP Sean Newcomb apologized for racist, homophobic and sexist tweets he sent as a teenager, which emerged after he came within an out of a no-hitter Sunday. Nationals SS Trea Turner also apologized for years-old homophobic and racially insensitive tweets.
NHL: Winger Jarome Iginla, 41, closed his 20-year career by making his retirement official in Calgary, where he spent 16 seasons. He’s the Flames’ all-time leader in goals with 525.
■ The Predators signed restricted free agent Miikka Salomaki to a two-year deal for $1.5 million.
Obituary: Josip Peruzovic, the former pro wrestler known for playing villain Nikolai Volkoff, died at age 70 in Baltimore. He was known for singing the Soviet Union’s national anthem before matches and for his tag team alliance with the Iron Sheik, in a career that featured showdowns with wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan.