Appeals court OKs NFL concussion deal

A federal appeals court in Philadelphia on Monday upheld an estimated $ 1 billion plan by the NFL to settle thousands of concussion lawsuits filed by former players, potentially ending a troubled chapter in league history.

The unanimous decision by a three- judge panel of the 3rd U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals came nearly a year after a district judge approved a revised settlement and weeks after an NFL official speaking to Congress acknowledged for the first time a definite link between football and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the brain decay found in dozens of former players after their deaths.

Critics appealing the settlement had argued any deal must include future payments for CTE. The appellate judges acknowledged their concerns but found the settlement was for the greater good of all players.

◆ The Pennsylvania attorney general’s office is reviewing a district attorney’s decision not to charge Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy in a fight in February in a nightclub in Philadelphia that left two off- duty police officers injured. Philadelphia district attorney Seth Williams said two weeks ago he wasn’t able to prove who started the fight.

◆ Commissioner Roger Goodell denied the Kansas City Chiefs’ appeal of anti- tampering violations, meaning the team will forfeit its third- round draft pick this year and sixth- round pick next year. The violations stem from the Chiefs contacting receiver Jeremy Maclin, a free agent at the time, when prohibited by NFL rules.

◆ ESPN reported linebacker Jaylon Smith, who suffered multiple torn ligaments in his left knee in Notre Dame’s loss to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day, is unlikely to play this season, putting his draft stock in even more doubt.