NCAA Owes $10M for Negligence to Ex-Player

Hey sports fans and everyone concerned about athlete safety! We’ve got some significant news coming out of a recent lawsuit that could have major implications for how sports organizations handle player health. A jury has found the NCAA negligent and awarded former college athlete Robert Geathers a substantial sum for failing to warn him about the long-term dangers of concussions.

$18 Million Awarded in Negligence Case

The jury’s decision is a big win for Robert Geathers and his wife, Debra. They were awarded a total of $18 million: $10 million for Robert and $8 million for Debra. This ruling comes after a jury determined that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) failed to adequately inform him about the lasting effects of concussions sustained during his playing days.

Geathers, who played football for South Carolina State University from 1977 to 1980, was diagnosed with dementia several years ago. His legal team, represented by Bakari Sellers, argued that the NCAA possessed knowledge about the risks associated with concussions as far back as the 1930s but withheld this crucial information from coaches and players. Sellers powerfully stated to the jury, ‘All of the information they knew, they withheld… their job was to keep the boys safe.’

The Jury’s Findings on NCAA’s Duty

The jury concluded that the NCAA ‘unreasonably increased the risk of harm of head impacts to Robert Geathers over and above the risks inherent to playing football.’ Furthermore, they determined that the organization had ‘voluntarily assumed duties to protect the health and safety of Robert Geathers’ and then ‘negligently breached their duties’ to him. This language highlights a clear finding of responsibility on the NCAA’s part.

At the trial, medical experts testified that Geathers exhibits symptoms consistent with CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), a condition linked to repeated head trauma. While CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death, studies, like one from Boston University in 2023, show a staggering prevalence of CTE among former NFL players (91.7% in a study of 376 players). Geathers’ current struggles with everyday tasks like dressing himself underscore the devastating impact of his condition.

• Awarded $10 million to former player Robert Geathers.
• Awarded $8 million to his wife, Debra Geathers.
• Jury found NCAA negligent in failing to warn about concussion risks.
• Evidence presented showed NCAA knew about concussion dangers since the 1930s.
• Geathers diagnosed with dementia and shows symptoms of CTE.

NCAA Plans to Appeal

The NCAA, however, disagrees with the jury’s decision. In a statement, the organization indicated its intention to pursue post-trial motions and potentially an appeal. They argued that they have historically prevailed in similar cases nationwide and that the standards followed by the South Carolina State team were in line with the knowledge available at the time. The NCAA maintains that college football did not cause Mr. Geathers’ health issues.

“It felt good to hug Debra Geathers. She gets to go home and tell her husband some good news.” — Bakari Sellers, Attorney for Robert Geathers

Despite the NCAA’s stance, the ruling is a significant moment, offering a sense of justice for Robert and Debra Geathers. It underscores the ongoing conversation about player safety and the responsibilities of governing bodies in protecting athletes from long-term harm.