One day after a former football star committed suicide, more players and families file suit against the NFL in Atlanta federal court.
115 former NFL players and their families are using the league in one of the biggest lawsuits of its kind. Their attorney believes player suicides are linked to the punishment they took while on the field.
"The NFL is not honest with its players," said lawyer Bruce Hagen, who filed the suit - his fourth against the league so far.
More than 60 cases have already been filed against the NFL.
Hagen said in this case, as in the others already making their way through the courts, his clients believe the NFL withheld information about the long-term effects of head injuries.
"There are some players who are suffering quite terribly," said Hagen.
Some former players have early-onset dementia. Others have ringing headaches that won't quit. Many are depressed and sometimes angry.
And some have taken their own lives.
Former linebacker Junior Seau died at his home in San Diego earlier this week in an apparent suicide. He’s the third former player to kill himself over the past 14 months.
Former Atlanta Falcon safety Ray Easterling was the lead plaintiff in one of the lawsuits against pro football. He killed himself last month. Former Chicago Bears safety Dave Duerson shot himself in the chest last year. He left a suicide note saying he wanted his brain studied for possible injury suffered on the field.
Like Duerson, Seau shot himself in the chest. His family reportedly plans to donate his brain for a study similar to the one conducted on Duerson.
Although the NFL did not respond specifically to the allegations contained in this latest suit, the league has maintained that player safety is a top priority.
More medical observers have been posted on the sidelines and in skyboxes where they can observe the hits players take and suggest – only suggest - that a player be pulled from the game.