Sports

‘Concern’ About Appeals of NFL Concussion Case Settlement

Published

11 years ago

April 23, 2015

In this Dec. 23, 2007, file photo, New England Patriots linebacker Junior Seau (55) reacts after a defensive play during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)

HOWARD FENDRICH, AP Pro Football Writer

It’s been four years since lawsuits connected to concussions were first filed against the NFL, and even now that a settlement agreement finally has been approved by a federal judge, none of the hundreds of millions of dollars available to thousands of former players will be paid until any appeals are heard — and, after that, until claims are assessed.

“It’s a really good feeling, but it’s not over yet, because of the appellate process,” said Craig Mitnick, who represented more than 1,000 ex-players against the NFL. “It is more likely than not that within the next month, one of the attorneys that got involved late in the game, who represents a player or players who do not believe the settlement is fair, is going to court.”

Co-lead plaintiffs’ lawyer Christopher Seeger said he has “a modest concern” about appeals.

“The most common question we’ve heard from retired players has been: How quickly can we get help?” Seeger said. “As long as no appeals are filed, the settlement process will begin to roll out its benefits as soon as this summer.”

The lawsuits accused the NFL of failing to properly protect players from — or inform them about — the long-term risks of concussions.

Senior U.S. District Judge Anita Brody in Philadelphia approved the settlement with a 132-page opinion Wednesday after twice asking lawyers to do more work because of her concerns over whether the initial ceiling of $765 million for payments to players was too low. That figure, first announced in August 2013, was not increased, but the cap was removed. So it’s not known exactly how much the NFL will pay, aside from about $100 million in lawyers’ fees, along with millions more for concussion education and monitoring of ex-players’ health.

“It is an uncapped settlement, so it could be much more” than $765 million, Seeger said.

In theory, it also could be less.

Dozens of ex-players or their relatives rejected the settlement, including the family of Junior Seau, the Pro Football Hall of Famer who killed himself in 2012.

Last year, seven former players who objected to the proposed settlement — because it wouldn’t cover certain symptoms related to head trauma — unsuccessfully brought their complaint to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court. One, Sean Morey, told The Associated Press no decision had been made about appealing Wednesday’s order.

The awards will depend on how long a player’s career was, his age, and his neurocognitive problems. Payouts could reach $1 million to $5 million for those diagnosed in their 30s and 40s with Parkinson’s or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Former players do not need to prove problems were caused by football. They can seek funds even if they weren’t among the 5,000 or so who sued.

“What matters now is time, and many retired players do not have much left,” said plaintiff Kevin Turner, who has Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Once the settlement becomes effective, after any appeals are exhausted, eligible players — those who retired before July 2014 — will have 180 days to register with court-appointed claim administrators, reserving the right to seek payment.

After submissions are assessed, the league and players will be able to appeal the amount of an individual’s lump-sum payment.

“The process is one of my concerns,” said 58-year-old Brent Boyd, a former offensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings. “The NFL’s strategy for dealing with retirees is delay, deny and hope we die.”

A finalized settlement allows the league, with annual revenues of about $10 billion, to have a sense of what this will end up costing. Team owners avoid the public spectacle of a trial. And the NFL did not admit liability.

Ex-players, meanwhile, “avoid years of costly litigation that … would have an uncertain prospect of success,” in NFL general counsel Jeff Pash’s words.

“The NFL got a huge PR problem off their plate. The attorneys got a huge payday. And the retirees are back at Page 1, where we were 10 years ago,” said Boyd, one of the original plaintiffs. “I’m afraid we will have to fight tooth and nail for these benefits.”

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Associated Press Writer Maryclaire Dale in Philadelphia contributed to this report.

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Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

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Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors

Seth looked comfortable in his new uniform, seamlessly fitting into the Warriors’ offensive and defensive system. He finished the night with an impressive 14 points, becoming one of the team’s top scorers for the game. Seth’s points came in a variety of ways – floaters, spot-up three-pointers, mid-range jumpers, and a handful of aggressive drives that kept the Oklahoma City Thunder defense on its heels.

Published

4 months ago

December 4, 2025

Oakland Post

Seth Curry is a point guard on the GSW team.Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

Tuesday night was anything but ordinary for fans in San Francisco as Seth Curry made his highly anticipated debut as a new member of the Golden State Warriors. Seth didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that not only showcased his scoring ability but also demonstrated his added value to the team.

At 35, the 12-year NBA veteran on Monday signed a contract to play with the Warriors for the rest of the season.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening came before Seth even scored his first points. As he checked into the game, the Chase Center erupted into applause, with fans rising to their feet to give the newest Warrior a standing ovation.

The crowd’s reaction was a testament not only to Seth’s reputation as a sharpshooter but also to the excitement he brings to the Warriors. It was clear that fans quickly embraced Seth as one of their own, eager to see what he could bring to the team’s championship aspirations.

Warriors’ superstar Steph Curry – Seth’s brother – did not play due to an injury. One could only imagine what it would be like if the Curry brothers were on the court together. Magic in the making.

Seth’s debut proved to be a turning point for the Warriors. Not only did he contribute on the scoreboard, but he also brought a sense of confidence and composure to the floor.

While their loss last night, OKC 124 – GSW 112, Seth’s impact was a game-changer and there’s more yet to come. Beyond statistics, it was clear that Seth’s presence elevated the team’s performance, giving the Warriors a new force as they look to make a deep playoff run.

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Barbara Lee

WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

11 months ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

1 year ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.