Retirees say the NFL "attacked" legitimate science for years and set up its own Brain Injury Committee

Seventy-five retired football players sued the NFL for failing to protect them against head injuries from concussions. The players say the NFL "attacked" legitimate science for years and set up its own Brain Injury Committee to pooh-pooh the devastating effects of repeated concussions, though the league knew of the medical risks as early as the 1920s.

"For decades defendants have known that multiple blows to the head can lead to long-term brain injuries, including memory loss, dementia, depression and CTE [Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy] and its related symptoms," according to the complaint.

The players and their wives also sued helmet manufacturers, though the brunt of the 81-page Superior Court is directed at the NFL

Lead plaintiff Vernon Maxwell wants the NFL to pay damages for failing to "warn and protect NFL players such as plaintiffs against the long-term brain injury risks associated with football-related concussions."

"NFL defendants committed negligence by failing to exercise its duty to enact league-wide guidelines and mandatory rules regulating post-concussion medical treatment and return-to-play standards for players who suffer a concussion and/or multiple concussions," the complaint states.

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