College Football’s Hidden Cost: A Family’s Fight for Justice

A former SMU player, born in Paris, Texas, played as a lineman from 1955 to 1959. Years later he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2001, passed away in 2016, and a post‑mortem test linked his death to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). His family used these facts to sue the NCAA, arguing that the organization had known about head‑injury risks long before. A Dallas jury agreed and awarded $140 million in damages on April 27, with $30 million compensatory and a record‑breaking $110 million punitive award—far beyond Texas’ usual cap of $750, 000.The NCAA released a statement saying it sympathised with the family but disagreed with the verdict, noting that the evidence relied on modern science rather than what was known in the 1950s. The lawyers’ case hinged on an old NCAA medical handbook from 1933 that advised rest and supervision for concussed players, implying the association had a duty to protect athletes. This ruling marks a rare legal defeat for the NCAA on health grounds, adding to a decade of losses over eligibility, name‑image‑likeness rights, player pay and transfer rules. Earlier in the decade, growing knowledge of concussions forced rule changes and even prompted President Obama to warn his son against pro football. Now, as participation rises again post‑COVID and flag football offers a safer alternative, the decision may influence how future parents weigh the risks of the sport.