🔗 Share this article

A South Carolina panel has ruled that the college sports governing body has to compensate a former college athlete and his spouse a total of $18m, determining the organization negligent for failing to alert the individual about the lasting consequences of concussions.

Details of the Legal Matter

Following a civil trial that concluded late last week, the jury in Orangeburg county awarded $10m to 68-year-old Robert Geathers, who participated as a defensive end at South Carolina State University from 1977 to 1980. His spouse, Mrs. Geathers, was given $8m, as per court documents.

A physician identified him with cognitive decline several years ago, as reported a local newspaper. Geathers now struggles with daily activities such as getting dressed and assisting in cooking.

Other physicians who testified at the proceedings said that Geathers displays signs of CTE, a degenerative condition observed in former athletes who sustained multiple impacts to the skull while playing. CTE can only be diagnosed after death.

Claims and Testimony

The legal team argued to the jury that hits Geathers took during training and games for the historically Black school in the city caused injury that didn't show up until years after.

His lawyer, the counsel, stated that the governing body was aware about concussion risks from the earlier era, and when Geathers's college career concluded, but didn't tell coaches or athletes about those risks until later.

"All of the information, they concealed," the attorney told the panel, adding that "their responsibility was to keep the boys protected."

The Association Response and Appeal

The verdict can be challenged. In a release provided through a spokesperson, the organization said that it disagreed with the verdict and was "ready to pursue our options on further legal steps and on review, if required."

"The NCAA have won in all previous court case around the country on similar matters," and the university team standards "adhered to the understanding that existed at the time, and the sport did not cause Mr Geathers long-term health problems," the communication said.

NCAA trial attorney the representative argued at the hearing that Geathers has multiple health conditions that influence dementia-like symptoms, and that the relevant body is made up of members of participating institutions that could propose regulations.

"It is inevitable that head impacts. That's inherent to the sport. You cannot take head-hits out of the game," he remarked in closing arguments.

Panel Determinations

As per reports, the jury found that the NCAA "heightened the risk of harm of blows to the head to the player beyond the risks inherent to the sport." And it also determined that the governing body "voluntarily assumed duties to safeguard the health and safety of him" and that the organization "negligently breached their obligations" to him.

After the proceedings, Sellers said that the outcome provided justice: "I felt good to embrace her. She can go home and inform her spouse some good news."