NFL Urges Judge to Toss Concussion Suits

Thousands of former players suing the NFL over football-related brain injuries should have their lawsuits dismissed because the issue is a "labor dispute," the league argues. The NFL filed a motion yesterday to shut down the lawsuits, reports AP. Some 3,377 former players, including 26 Hall of Famers, have sued the NFL because they believe the league didn't do enough to warn them of the dangers of concussions, or to look after them when their careers ended. Spouses and other relatives are also suing, including the widow of former Atlanta Falcons safety Ray Easterling, who committed suicide in April.

The league ignored and concealed medical links between concussions and brain injuries, causing many players to suffer later in life, the players claim. Former Dallas Cowboys star Tony Dorsett says the memory problems he now suffers from are the result of concussions in his 12-year career. One hit knocked him out cold—but he was allowed to return to the field. The league denies it sought to mislead players about the effects of concussions, and says compensation should be resolved only under the NFL's collective bargaining agreement. (More NFL stories.)