Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 1 of 33

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA ATLANTA DIVISION DORSEY LEVENS, Plaintiff, v. NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE; And NFL PROPERTIES, LLC, Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

Civil Action No.:

JURY TRIAL DEMANDED

COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES Plaintiffs Dorsey Levens (Plaintiff) hereby file this Complaint for Damages and Jury Trial Demand against the above named Defendants, respectfully showing the Court the following: INTRODUCTION 1. The National Football League (NFL or the League) is Americas

most successful and popular sports league. With 32 member teams, the League is a multi-billion dollar business. The NFL is and has always been eager to avoid negative publicity and protect the product on the field. As a result, the NFL regulates just about everything as it pertains to their teams, including League policies, player appearances, marketing, and safety, among other items.

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 2 of 33

2.

As recognized by the League, professional football is unquestionably

a tough, aggressive, and physically demanding sport. Injuries are common. As such, it is vital to the safety of the players that the NFL act reasonably, through research studies and other means, to identify the risks of serious injury associated with playing professional football, to keep the teams and players informed of the risks that they identify, and to take reasonable steps based upon their findings from appropriate and adequate studies to protect players. Aware of this responsibility, the NFL, through its own initiative, created the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) Committee in 1994 to research, and presumably look to ameliorate, what was already a tremendous problem in the League concussions. 3. The rash of head injuries has been noted in a wide variety of news

articles and television segments, and was addressed recently by the League in an announcement that it would penalize illegal blows to the head. But, as noted, this spate of head injuries is not a new problem. For decades, the Leagues players have been plagued by the devastating effects of concussions. 4. Despite overwhelming medical evidence that on-field concussions

lead directly to brain injuries and frequent tragic repercussions for retired players, the NFL not only failed to take effective action in an attempt to protect players from suffering, but failed to inform players of the true risks associated with 2

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 3 of 33

concussions.

Instead, the NFL chose to misrepresent and/or conceal medical

evidence on the issue through its hand-picked committee of physicians who were researching same. While athletes in other professional sports who had suffered concussions were being effectively shut down for long periods of time or full seasons, NFL protocol was to return players who had suffered concussions to the very game in which the injury occurred. 5. The NFL has purposefully attempted to obfuscate the issue and has

repeatedly refuted the connection between concussions and brain injury. Congress has vehemently objected to the NFLs handling of the issue on multiple occasions. Expert neurologists know the true score. The reality is that in the 17 years since its formation, the MTBI has served as nothing short of a roadblock to any genuine attempt to appropriately inform and protect teams and NFL players regarding concussions and resultant brain injury. The Committees misrepresentation and concealment of relevant medical information over the years has caused an increased risk of debilitating and/or life-threatening injury to players who were purposefully not being apprised of the findings. 6. The NFL has failed to satisfy its duty to take reasonable steps

necessary to protect players from devastating head injuries. Moreover, the NFL

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 4 of 33

has done everything in its power to hide the issue and mislead players concerning the risks associated with concussions. THE PARTIES 7. Plaintiff Dorsey Levens is a resident and citizen of the State of

Georgia, residing in Fulton County, Atlanta, Georgia. 8. All Defendants, and each of them, were in some fashion legally

responsible for the injuries and damages complained of herein. 9. At all times herein mentioned, Defendants, and each of them, were the

agents, servants, and employees of each of the other, acting within the course and scope of said agency and employment. 10. Defendant NFL is a nonprofit, non-incorporated entity organized and

existing under the laws of the State of New York, with its principal place of business at 280 Park Ave., 15th Fl., New York, NY 10017. The NFL is not, and has not been, the employer of Plaintiff Dorsey Levens, who was employed by independent club(s) during his career in professional football. The NFL regularly conducts business in Georgia. 11. Defendant NFL Properties, LLC, as the successor-in-interest to

National Football League Properties, Inc. (NFL Properties) is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware with its headquarters 4

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 5 of 33

in the State of New York. NFL Properties is engaged in, among other activities, approving, licensing and promoting equipment by all the NFL teams. Properties regularly conducts business in Georgia. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 12. This Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. NFL

1332(a), as there is diversity of citizenship and the amount in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $75,000, exclusive of interests and costs. 13. This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendants as it does

business in Georgia, has a franchise which plays in Georgia, and derives substantial revenue from its contacts with Georgia. 14. Venue properly lies in this district pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1391(a)(2)

and 1391(b)(2) as a substantial part of the events and/or omissions giving rise to the claims emanated from activities within this jurisdiction and the Defendants conduct substantial business in this jurisdiction. ALLEGATIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL COUNTS THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE 15. The NFL acts as a trade association for 32 franchise owners, and

consists of two structured conferences, the AFC and the NFC comprised of 32 teams.

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 6 of 33

16.

The NFL is a separate entity from each of its teams.

American

Needle, Inc. v. NFL, et al., 130 S. Ct. 2201 (U.S. 2010). 17. Each team functions as a separate business but operates under shared

revenue generated through broadcasting, merchandising and licensing. 18. The NFL governs and promotes the game of football, sets and

enforces rules and league policies, and regulates team ownership. It generates revenue mostly through marketing sponsorships, licensing merchandise and by selling national broadcasting rights to the games. The teams share a percentage of the Leagues overall revenue. 19. Owing in part to its immense financial power and monopoly status in

American football, the NFL has assumed enormous influence over the research and education of football injuries to physicians, trainers, coaches, and amateur football players at all levels of the game. 20. The website www.nflhealthandsafety.com states that USA Football,

the sports national governing body, is the Official Youth Football Development Partner of the NFL and the NFL Players Association. The independent non-profit organization leads the development of youth, high school and international amateur football. In addition, USA Football operates programs and builds resources to address key health and safety issues in partnership with leading medical 6

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 7 of 33

organizations. The organization was endowed by the NFL and NFLPA through the NFL Youth Football Fund in 2002. USA Football stands among the leaders in youth sports concussion education, particularly for football. THE NFL AND THE CBA 21. Until March of 2011, all NFL players were members of a union called

the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA). The NFLPA is a union that negotiates the general minimum contract for all players in the League with the National Football League Management Council (NFLMC). This contract is called the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and it is the central document that governs the negotiation of individual player contracts for all of the Leagues players. However, the NFL retired players have not been the subject of or a party to Collective Bargaining. 22. Plaintiff Dorsey Levens is a retiree and not a signatory to the CBA,

nor is he a subject of or a party to the bargaining between the NFL and the NFLPA. Plaintiffs claims are not preempted by federal labor law since the CBA does not apply to his claims. THE NATURE OF HEAD INJURIES SUFFERED BY NFL PLAYERS 23. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons defines a

concussion as a clinical syndrome characterized by an immediate and transient 7

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 8 of 33

alteration in brain function, including an alteration of mental status and level of consciousness, resulting from mechanical force or trauma. The injury generally occurs when the head either accelerates rapidly and then is stopped, or is spun rapidly. The results frequently include confusion, blurred vision, memory loss, nausea and, sometimes, unconsciousness. 24. A hit to the head may result in smashing, jiggling and torquing of the

brain while causing strains and tears, snapping blood vessels, killing brain cells (neurons) and shearing the delicate connections (axons) that link this incredibly complex cerebral telephone system. 25. Medical evidence has shown that symptoms of a concussion can

reappear hours or days after the injury, indicating that the injured party had not healed from the injury. 26. According to neurologists, once a person suffers a concussion, he is as

much as four times more likely to sustain a second concussion. Additionally, after several concussions, a lesser impact may cause the injury, and the injured player requires more time to recover. 27. Clinical and neuropathological studies by some of the nations

foremost experts demonstrate that multiple concussions sustained during an NFL

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 9 of 33

players career may cause severe cognitive problems such as depression and earlyonset dementia. 28. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive

degenerative disease of the brain found in athletes (and others) with a history of repetitive concussions. Conclusive studies have shown this condition to be prevalent in retired professional football players who have a history of head injury. 29. Head trauma, which includes multiple concussions, triggers

progressive degeneration of the brain tissue. These changes in the brain can begin months, years, or even decades after the last concussion or end of active athletic involvement. The brain degeneration is associated with memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, paranoia, impulse control problems, aggression, depression, and eventually, progressive dementia. 30. In 2002, Dr. Bennet Omalu, a forensic pathologist and

neuropathologist, found CTE in the brain of NFL Hall of Famer Mike Webster. 31. By 2007, Dr. Omalu found a fourth case linking the death of a former CTE manifests

NFL player to CTE brain damage from his football career. similarly as punch drunk boxers. 32.

Around the same time period, the University of North Carolinas

Center for the Study of Retired Athletes published survey-based papers in 2005 9

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 10 of 33

through 2007 that found a clear correlation between NFL football and depression, dementia, and other cognitive impairment. 33. In 1994, the NFL undertook the responsibility of studying concussion

research through funding the MTBI Committee. 34. The NFL MTBI Committee published its findings in 2004 showing

no evidence of worsening injury or chronic cumulative effects from multiple concussions. In a related study, the Committee found many NFL players can be safely allowed to return to play on the day of a concussion if they are without symptoms and cleared by a physician. 35. Commissioner Roger Goodell in June of 2007 admitted publicly that

the NFL has been studying the effects of traumatic brain injury for close to 14 years. 36. It was not until June of 2010 that the NFL publicly acknowledged that

concussions can lead to dementia, memory loss, CTE and related symptoms by publishing warnings to every player and team. 37. To date, neuroanatomists have performed autopsies on 13 former NFL

players who died after exhibiting signs of degenerative brain disease. Twelve of these players were found to have suffered from CTE. 38. Until very recently, CTE could only be diagnosed by autopsy. 10

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 11 of 33

NFLS DUTY TO PLAYERS AND THE PUBLIC 39. The NFL overtly undertook a duty to study concussions on behalf of

NFL players. 40. The NFL owed a duty to players including Plaintiff Dorsey Levens in

the following respects: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) It owed a duty of reasonable care to protect Plaintiff on the playing field; It owed a duty of reasonable care to Plaintiff to educate him and other players in the NFL about CTE and/or concussion injury; It owed a duty of reasonable care to Plaintiff to educate trainers, physicians, and coaches about CTE and/or concussion injury; It owed a duty of reasonable care to Plaintiff to have in place strict return-to-play guidelines to prevent CTE and/or concussion injury; It owed a duty of reasonable care to Plaintiff to promote a whistleblower system where teammates would bring to the attention of a trainer, physician, or coach that another player had sustained concussion injury; (f) (g) (h) It owed a duty of reasonable care to Plaintiff to design rules and penalties for players who use their head or upper body to hit or tackle; It owed a duty of reasonable care to Plaintiff to design rules to eliminate the risk of concussion during games and/or practices; It owed a duty of reasonable care to Plaintiff to promote research into and cure for CTE and the effects of concussion injury over a period of time; and 11

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 12 of 33

(i)

It owed a duty of reasonable care to State governments, local sports organizations, all American Rules Football leagues and players, and the public at large to protect against the long-term effects of CTE and/or concussion injury.

41.

The NFL knew as early as the 1920s of the potential harmful effects

on a players brain of concussions; however, until June of 2010, they concealed these facts from coaches, trainers, players, and the public. 42. Plaintiff Dorsey Levens did not know, nor did he have reason to

know, the long-term effects of concussions and relied on the Defendants to provide reasonable warnings, rules, regulations and studies. DEFENDANTS KNOWLEDGE OF THE RISK OF CONCUSSIONS 43. For decades, Defendants have known that multiple blows to the head

can lead to long-term brain injury, including memory loss, dementia, depression, and CTE and its related symptoms. 44. This action arises from Defendants failure to warn and protect NFL

players, such as Plaintiff Dorsey Levens, against long-term brain injury risks associated with football-related concussions. 45. While Defendants undertook to investigate, research, and promulgate

multiple safety rules, Defendants were negligent in failing to act reasonably and exercise their duty to enact reasonable league-wide guidelines and mandatory rules 12

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 13 of 33

regulating post-concussion medical treatment and return-to-play standards for players who suffer a concussion and/or multiple concussions. 46. Defendants affirmatively assumed a duty to use reasonable care in the

study of post-concussion syndrome, and to use reasonable care in the publication of data from the MTBI Committees work. 47. Rather than exercising reasonable care in these duties, Defendants

immediately engaged in a long-running course of negligent conduct. 48. By failing to exercise their duty to enact reasonable and prudent rules

to better protect players against the risks associated with repeated brain trauma, Defendants failures to exercise their independent duty has led to the deaths of some, and brain injuries of many other former players, including Plaintiff Dorsey Levens. 49. Defendants ongoing undertaking to protect the health and safety of

the players is evidenced by the NFLs enactment of at least the following nonexhaustive list of rules pertaining to players health and safety: (a) (b) In 1956, the NFL enacted a rule that prohibited the grabbing of any players facemask, other than the ball carrier; In 1962, the NFL enacted a rule that prohibited players from grabbing any players facemask;

13

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 14 of 33

(c)

In 1976, the NFL enacted a rule that prohibited players from grabbing the facemask of an opponent. The penalty for an incidental grasp of the facemask was 5 yards. The penalty for twisting, turning, or pulling the facemask was 15 yards. A player could be ejected from the game if the foul is judged to be vicious and/or flagrant;

(d)

In 1977, the NFL enacted a rule that prohibited players from slapping the head of another player during play. This rule was referred to as the Deacon Jones Rule, named after the Rams defensive end who frequently used this technique;

(e) (f)

In 1977, the NFL enacted a rule that prohibited Offensive Lineman from thrusting their hands into a defenders neck, face, or head; In 1979, the NFL enacted a rule that prohibited players from using their helmets to butt, spear, or ram an opponent. Pursuant to this rule, any player who used the crown or top of his helmet unnecessarily will be called for unnecessary roughness;

(g) (h)

In 1980, the NFL enacted rule changes that provided greater restrictions on contact in the area of the head, neck, and face; In 1980, the NFL enacted rule changes that prohibited players from directly striking, swinging, or clubbing the head, neck, or face (personal foul). Beginning in 1980, a penalty could be called for such contact whether or not the initial contact was made below the neck area;

(i)

In 1982, the NFL enacted a rule change by which the penalty for incidental grabbing of a facemask by a defensive team was changed from 5 yards to an automatic first down plus a 5 yard penalty; 14

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 15 of 33

(j) (k)

In 1983, the NFL enacted a rule that prohibited players from using a helmet as a weapon to strike or hit an opponent; In 1988, the NFL enacted a rule that prohibited defensive players from hitting quarterbacks below the waist while they are still in the pocket. (The rule was unofficially called the Andre Waters Rule based upon a hit that Waters placed on Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jim Everett in 1988); and

(l)

Following the 2004-2005 season, the NFLs Competition Committee reviewed video of the entire season and concluded that the horsecollar tackle resulted in six serious injuries. On May 23, 2005, the NFL owners voted 27-5 to ban such tackles. The ban states that a horse-collar tackle is an open-field tackle in which a defender uses the shoulder pads to immediately bring a ball carrier down.

50.

However, the Defendants failed to enact reasonable rules and

regulations for the prevention of traumatic brain injuries. NFL FRAUDULENTLY CONCEALED THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF CONCUSSIONS 51. Instead of taking measures to actually protect its players from

suffering long-term brain injuries, the NFL created the MTBI Committee in 1994 to study the effects of concussions on NFL players. 52. The MTBI Committee was chaired by Dr. Elliot Pellman, a

rheumatologist who is not certified as a brain injury and/or concussion specialist.

15

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 16 of 33

53.

After 14 years of studies, and after numerous medical journal articles

written by the NFLs MTBI Committee, Defendants concluded that [b]ecause a significant percentage of players returned to play in the same game [after suffering a mild traumatic brain injury] and the overwhelming majority of players with concussions were kept out of football-related activities for less than 1 week, it can be concluded that mild TBIs in professional football are not serious injuries. See Concussion in professional football: Summary of the research conducted by the National Football Leagues Committee on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Neurosurg Focus 21 (4):E12; 2006, RI. Pellman and D.C. Viano. 54. According to Defendants own studies, the speedy return to play

after suffering a concussion demonstrates that such players were at no greater risk of suffering long-term brain injury. 55. The NFL-funded study is completely devoid of logic and science.

More importantly, it is contrary to their Health and Safety Rules as well as 75 years of published medical literature on concussions. 56. A series of clinical and neuropathological studies performed by

independent scientists and physicians demonstrated that multiple NFL inducedconcussions cause cognitive problems such as depression, early on-set dementia and CTE and its related symptoms. 16

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 17 of 33

57.

In response to these studies, Defendants, to further a scheme of fraud

and deceit, had members of the NFLs MTBI Committee deny knowledge of a link between concussion and cognitive decline. 58. When the NFLs MTBI Committee anticipated studies that would

show causal links between concussion and cognitive degeneration, the Committee promptly published articles producing contrary findings, as part of Defendants scheme to deceive Congress, the players and the public at large. 59. Dr. Bennet Omalu examined the brain tissue of deceased NFL players

including Mike Webster, Terry Long, Andrew Waters and Justin Strzelczyk. Dr. Omalu in an article in Neurosurgery concluded that CTE triggered by multiple NFL concussions, was a partial cause of their death. 60. In response to Dr. Omalus article, Defendants MTBI Committee,

(Drs. Ira Casson, Eliot Pellman and David Viano) wrote a letter to the editor of Neurosurgery asking that Dr. Omalus article be retracted. 61. A clinical study performed by Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz found that

retired players who sustained three or more concussions in the NFL had a fivefold prevalence of mild cognitive impairment. The NFLs MTBI Committee, (Dr. Mark Lowell), promptly attacked the article by refusing to accept a survey of 2,400 former NFL players. 17

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 18 of 33

62.

Because of Congressional scrutiny and media pressure, the NFL

scheduled a league-wide Concussion Summit for June 2007. Defendants, in furtherance of their scheme of deceit issued a pamphlet to players in August 2007, which stated: there is no magic number for how many concussions is too many. 63. When Boston Universitys Dr. Ann McKee found CTE present in the

brains of two more deceased NFL players, a member of the Committee characterized each study as an isolated incident from which no conclusion could be drawn. 64. The NFL MTBI Committee has been on direct notice of multiple NFL

head injuries contributing to cognitive decline in later life, yet it has never amended the 2007 NFLs MTBI Committee statement: Current research with professional athletes has not shown that having more than one or two concussions leads to permanent problems It is important to understand that there is no magic number for how many concussions is too many. 65. Defendants have yet to amend these inaccurate and misrepresentative

statements to any NFL retiree, including Plaintiff Dorsey Levens.

18

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 19 of 33

DEFENDANTS ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR DUTY TO PROTECT AGAINST THE LONG-TERM RISK OF CONCUSSIONS 66. On August 14, 2007, Defendants acknowledged their duty to players

by enacting rules to protect them against the risk associated with repeated brain trauma. 67. The NFLs 2007 concussion guidelines, many of which stemmed from

an NFL conference in June of 2007 involving team trainers and doctors, were sent to all current players and other team personnel. 68. The NFLs 2007 guidelines on concussion management include a

whistle-blower provision for individuals to report concussions with the League so that a player with a head injury is not forced to practice or play against medical advice. 69. The NFLs 2007 concussion guidelines also include an informational

pamphlet provided to all current NFL players to aid in identifying symptoms of a concussion. This information was later withdrawn by one of the outside counsel of the NFL in a separate letter to its disability plan, as well as the NFLs August 14, 2007 press release denying that more than one or two concussion leads to permanent problems. 70. In a statement issued by the NFL on August 14, 2007, Roger Goodell,

the Commissioner of the NFL, introduced the NFLs 2007 concussion guidelines 19

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 20 of 33

by saying, We want to make sure all NFL players, coaches and staff members are fully informed and take advantage for the most up-to-date information and resources as we continue to study the long-term impact of concussions. 71. The NFLs Commissioner also stated, [b]ecause of the unique and

complex nature of the brain, our goal is to continue to have concussions managed conservatively by outstanding medical personnel in a way that clearly emphasized player safety over competitive concerns. 72. The NFLs 2007 concussion guidelines indicate when a player with a

concussion can return to a game or practice. 73. The NFLs 2007 concussion guidelines specifically mandate that a

player should have normal neurological test results and no concussion symptoms before returning to play. 74. Defendants acknowledged that said guidelines were inadequate and

insufficient. As a result, the NFL enacted more strict regulations to handle concussions starting in the 2009 season. Specifically, the NFL announced new rules requiring players who exhibit any significant concussion signs to be removed from a game or practice and be barred from returning the same day. 75. Nevertheless, it was not until June of 2010 that the NFL warned any

player of the long-term risks associated with multiple concussions, including 20

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 21 of 33

dementia, memory loss, CTE and its related symptoms. The Defendants also failed to so warn active players until approximately the same time frame. 76. As of today, Defendants have never warned any retired player, like

Plaintiff Dorsey Levens, of the long-term health effects of concussions. DEFENDANTS CONDUCT WAS DELIBERATE, WILFULL AND WANTON 77. The aforementioned acts and omissions of Defendants demonstrate

that Defendants acted deliberately, willfully, and wantonly with indifference to the rights and duties owed and consequences to Plaintiff Dorsey Levens. 78. Defendants knew that a substantial risk of physical and mental harm

to the NFL players existed in connection with repeated concussive blows to the head, to wit: the danger of irreversible brain-damage and/or dementia. Defendants willfully and deliberately disregarded the safety of others in continually undertaking to establish and promulgate safety rules for the NFL that failed to address or disclose substantial risk of head injury. PLAINTIFF DORSEY LEVENS INJURIES 79. York. Plaintiff Dorsey Levens was born on May 21, 1970 in Syracuse, New

21

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 22 of 33

80.

Plaintiff Dorsey Levens played eleven (11) NFL seasons, including

from 1994-2001 for the Green Bay Packers; during the 2001 and 2003 seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles; and during the 2002 season for the New York Giants. 81. Throughout his career as a professional football player, Plaintiff

Dorsey Levens suffered multiple concussions. 82. Plaintiff Dorsey Levens was not warned by Defendants of the risk of

long-term injury due to football-related concussions or that the League-managed equipment did not protect him from such injury. This was a substantial factor in causing his current injuries. 83. Plaintiff Dorsey Levens suffers from multiple past traumatic brain

injuries with symptoms including but not limited to, memory loss, headaches, and sleeplessness. COUNT I NEGLIGENCE 84. Plaintiff incorporates by reference all facts set forth in the preceding

paragraphs and further alleges on information and belief as follows. 85. Defendants, as purveyors of safety rules for the League, owed

Plaintiff Dorsey Levens a duty to use reasonable care in researching, studying and/or examining the dangers and risks of head injuries and/or concussions to NFL

22

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 23 of 33

players; to inform and warn him of such risks and to effectuate reasonable league policies; and/or take other reasonable action to minimize the risks of head injuries. 86. At all times relevant hereto, Defendants negligently performed such

duties by failing to adequately study, warn and/or implement reasonable rules and regulations to minimize traumatic brain injuries to its players, including Plaintiff Dorsey Levens. 87. Defendants knew or should have known that its policies, rules and

regulations in place were inadequate to minimize traumatic brain injuries and that Plaintiff Dorsey Levens injuries were foreseeable. 88. Defendants affirmatively and voluntarily established the MTBI

Committee to examine the dangers and consequences of head injuries to NFL players, to report on its findings, to provide information and guidance from its research and studies concerning concussions to teams and players, and to make recommendations to lessen the risks of concussions. Defendants are responsible for the staffing and conduct of the MTBI Committee. 89. Defendants failed to use reasonable care in the manner in which it

created the MTBI Committee and in the appointment of physicians to head the Committee who were not qualified for the job.

23

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 24 of 33

90.

Defendants, failed to use reasonable care in researching, studying

and/or examining the risks of head injuries and/or concussions in professional football. Defendants downplayed and in many cases denied both the severity of

head injuries and the clear link between concussions and brain damage, thereby breaching its duty to its players, including Plaintiff Dorsey Levens. 91. Defendants, failed to inform, warn and/or advise its players and/or

misinformed them of the risks and complications inherent in sustaining concussions, thereby breaching its duty to its players, including Plaintiff Dorsey Levens. 92. Defendants, were further negligent in the following respects: In failing to use reasonable care in overseeing, controlling and/or regulating policies and procedures of the League so as to minimize the risk of head injuries and/or concussions; In failing to use reasonable care in the research and/or investigation of the concussion issue; In failing to appoint a qualified physician or panel of physicians to head Defendants MTBI committee; In placing a physician in charge of the committee whose primary motive was to appease the NFL rather than to report accurately; In disregarding independent scientific studies which showed the risks of head injuries and/or concussions to NFL players health;

24

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 25 of 33

In failing to acknowledge, either publicly or to their players, the clear link between concussions and brain injuries being suffered by their players; In failing to acknowledge, either publically or to their players, the linkage between playing football and long-term brain injuries; In failing to make and/or timely make necessary league policy changes as it pertains to intentional hits to the head, hits to the head of a defenseless player, helmet to helmet hits, and concussions in general; In publishing misleading and erroneous findings regarding hits to the head and NFL head injuries; In failing to issue a timely warning, through a concussion pamphlet or other means, to the players concerning the causal link between concussions and later life cognitive decline; In issuing misinformation and purposefully attempting to mislead their players through the concussion pamphlet which they issued in August 2007; In collecting and reporting upon data that was infected and/or not reliable; In causing, by and through their negligent conduct and omissions, an increased risk of harm to their players; In breaching their duty to ensure that the equipment it licensed and approved was of the highest possible quality and sufficient to protect the NFL players, including Plaintiff Dorsey Levens, from the risk of concussive brain injuries; In failing to provide competent information to its teams, players, coaches, trainers and medical personnel with respect to the significance of head injuries and/or concussions, their symptoms and necessary and/or proper treatment of same; and 25

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 26 of 33

93.

In creating a culture within the NFL in which concussions and their devastating effects would run rampant. As a direct and proximate result of the Defendants negligent acts and

omissions as aforesaid, Plaintiff Dorsey Levens suffered serious injury, including but not limited to brain damage, with a resultant loss therefrom. 94. That by reason of the foregoing negligence on the part of Defendants,

Plaintiff Dorsey Levens believes that his aforesaid injuries are permanent and that he will continue to suffer from the effects of his aforesaid injuries, including but not limited to continuous pain and suffering and severe emotional distress. 95. That by reason of the foregoing, Plaintiff Dorsey Levens has and will

be required in the future to obtain medical aid and attention, with a resultant cost therefrom. 96. That by reason of the foregoing, Plaintiff may suffer a loss of

employment opportunity in the future with a resultant loss therefrom. COUNT II FRAUD 97. Plaintiff incorporates by reference all facts set forth in the preceding

paragraphs and further alleges on information and belief as follows. 98. The NFL materially misrepresented the risk faced by Plaintiff related

to head injuries. Defendants MTBI Committee, through misleading public 26

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 27 of 33

statements, published articles and the concussion pamphlet issued to the players, downplayed known long-term risks of concussions to NFL players. 99. Material misrepresentations were made by members of Defendants

Committee on multiple occasions, including but not limited to testimony given at congressional hearings and the informational pamphlet which they issued to the players. 100. The material misrepresentations include the NFLs remarks that Plaintiff Dorsey Levens and other players were not at an increased risk of head injury if they returned too soon to an NFL game or training session after suffering a head injury. 101. Defendants material misrepresentations also included the NFLs criticism of legitimate scientific studies which illustrated the dangers and risks of head injuries. 102. Defendants knew the misleading nature of these statements when they were made. 103. Defendants knew, or should have known, that Plaintiff and other players would rely on these misrepresentations.

27

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 28 of 33

104. Plaintiff Dorsey Levens relied on these misrepresentations when playing in the NFL. Had Plaintiff Dorsey Levens known the risks to his health, he would not have agreed to jeopardize his health. 105. As a direct and proximate result of Defendants fraudulent conduct, Plaintiff Dorsey Levens has suffered physical injury, including, but not limited to, memory and cognitive problems, and economic losses. COUNT III FRAUDULENT CONCEALMENT 106. Plaintiff incorporates by reference all facts set forth in the preceding paragraphs and further alleges on information and belief as follows. 107. Defendants MTBI Committee concealed the risks of head injuries to Plaintiff Dorsey Levens, and the risk to him if he returned to the playing field before making a proper recovery from his head injuries. 108. Defendants MTBI Committee, through misleading public statements, published articles and the concussion pamphlet issued to players, concealed and downplayed known long-term risks of concussions to NFL players. 109. The concussion pamphlet created player reliance. The NFL stated that [w]e want to make sure all N.F.L. players are fully informed and take advantage of the most up to date information and resources as we continue to study the long-term impact on concussions. 28

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 29 of 33

110. Further concealment of material information occurred in January 2010. Dr. Casson provided oral and written testimony at the January 2010 congressional hearings. He continued to deny the validity of other studies. 111. Defendants failed to acknowledge, either publicly or to its players, the clear link between concussions and brain injuries being suffered by NFL players. 112. Defendants failed to acknowledge, either publicly or to its players, the linkage between playing football and long-term brain injuries. 113. Defendants willfully concealed this information from Plaintiff Dorsey Levens in order to prevent negative publicity and increased scrutiny of their medical practices. 114. Defendants knew that Plaintiff Dorsey Levens and other NFL players would rely on the inaccurate information provided by the NFL. 115. Plaintiff Dorsey Levens relied on this inaccurate information during his NFL career. 116. As a direct and proximate result of Defendants fraudulent conduct, Plaintiff Dorsey Levens has suffered physical injury, including, but not limited to, memory and cognitive problems, and economic losses.

29

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 30 of 33

COUNT IV NEGLIGENT MISREPRESENTATION 117. Plaintiff incorporates by reference all facts set forth in the preceding paragraphs and further alleges on information and belief as follows. 118. The NFL misrepresented the dangers that NFL players faced in

returning to play too quickly after sustaining a head injury. Defendants MTBI Committee, through public statements which it knew or should have known were misleading, published articles and issued the concussion pamphlet to its players, and downplayed the long-term risks of concussions to NFL players. 119. Material misrepresentations were made by members of the NFLs committee on multiple occasions, including but not limited to testimony at congressional hearings and the informational pamphlet issued to players. 120. The misrepresentations included the NFLs remarks that Plaintiff Dorsey Levens and other NFL players were not at an increased risk of head injury if they returned too soon to an NFL game or training session after suffering a head injury. 121. Defendants material misrepresentations also included the NFLs criticism of legitimate scientific studies that illustrated the dangers and risks of head injuries.

30

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 31 of 33

122. Defendants made these misrepresentations and actively concealed adverse information at a time when they knew, or should have known, because of their superior position of knowledge, that Plaintiff Dorsey Levens faced health problems if he were to return to a game too soon. 123. Defendants knew or should have known the misleading nature of these statements when they were made. 124. Defendants made misrepresentations and actively concealed

information with the intention that Plaintiff Dorsey Levens and other NFL players would rely on the misrepresentations or omissions in selecting their course of action. 125. As a direct and proximate result of the Defendants fraudulent conduct, Plaintiff Dorsey Levens has suffered physical injury, including, but not limited to, memory and cognitive problems, and economic losses. PRAYER FOR RELIEF WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for relief and judgment as follows: a. For past and future medical and incidental expenses, according to proof; b. Awarding to Plaintiff Dorsey Levens past and future loss of earnings and/or earning capacity, according to proof; 31

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 32 of 33

c.

Awarding to Plaintiff Dorsey Levens past and future general damages, including pain and suffering according to proof;

d. e.

Punitive damages as allowable by law; Awarding to Plaintiff the costs of this action, including reasonable attorneys fees; and

f.

Granting any and all such other and further relief as the Court deems necessary, just, and proper. DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

Plaintiff hereby requests a trial by jury of all issues triable by jury. DATED: December 21, 2011 Respectfully submitted, /s/ Michael L. McGlamry Michael L. McGlamry Georgia Bar No. 492515 N. Kirkland Pope Georgia Bar No. 584255 Jay F. Hirsch Georgia Bar No. 357185 M. Gino Brogdon Georgia Bar No. 084252 George W. Walker Georgia Bar No. 548316 POPE, McGLAMRY, KILPATRICK, MORRISON & NORWOOD, LLP 3455 Peachtree Road, N.E., Suite 925 P.O. Box 191625 (31119-1625) Atlanta, GA 30326-3256 32

Case 1:11-cv-04448-RWS Document 1

Filed 12/21/11 Page 33 of 33

(404) 523-7706 Fax (404) 524-1648 efile@pmkm.com Bruce A. Hagen Georgia Bar No. 316678 Bruce A. Hagen, P.C. 119 N. McDonough Street Decatur, GA 30030 (404) 522-7553 Fax (404) 522-7744 Bruce@hagen-law.com Attorneys for Plaintiffs

33