Former College Athlete Wins $18 Million in Injury Case Against NCAA

A verdict handed down by a jury in South Carolina has resulted in the NCAA being ordered to pay $18 million to a former football player and his spouse. The jury found that the organization did not adequately warn the player about the potential long-term risks associated with concussions.

The trial concluded last week with the decision to compensate Robert Geathers, a 68-year-old who played as a defensive end for South Carolina State University between 1977 and 1980, with $10 million. His wife, Debra, has been awarded a further $8 million.

Robert Geathers, who was diagnosed with dementia a few years back, now struggles with completing everyday tasks, such as dressing himself and assisting with meal preparation.

Medical experts during the trial pointed out that Geathers exhibits signs of a degenerative brain condition common in former athletes who experienced repeated head impacts. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, can only be diagnosed after death.

The legal team representing the Geathers argued that the impacts he endured while playing for the historically Black university in Orangeburg resulted in damage that manifested many years later.

According to Geathers' lawyer, Bakari Sellers, the NCAA was aware of concussion hazards as far back as the 1930s. However, they failed to inform players and coaches of these dangers until much later.

Sellers reinforced to the jury that the NCAA withheld important safety information, stating their role was supposed to involve ensuring the safety of the players.

While the NCAA is contemplating a possible appeal of the decision, their representative, Greg Johnson, remarked that the organization intends to contest the verdict using post-trial motions and further legal channels if required.

Johnson claimed the NCAA has succeeded in similar cases across the nation and argued that South Carolina State’s procedures complied with the then-available understanding of football-related risks.

The lawyer representing the NCAA in this matter, Andy Fletcher, mentioned that various health conditions might be contributing to Geathers’ dementia symptoms. He also noted that head impacts are an unavoidable element of the sport.

In their findings, the jury determined that the NCAA unnecessarily heightened the danger of head injuries beyond regular football-related risks and identified a failure in the organization to fulfill its health and safety obligations toward Geathers.

Post-trial, Sellers expressed that the case outcome provided deserved recognition for the Geathers family. "I was pleased to share the news with Debra Geathers, who can now inform her husband of this favorable result," he commented.