Former NFL players sue league, helmet manufacturer for negligence

Two former professional football players are suing over concussive injuries they claimed to have sustained while playing.

Robert Douglass and John J. Cornell filed suit Nov. 4 in the Cook County Circuit Court against the National Football League Inc., Riddell Inc., EN&T Associates Inc., Riddell Sports Group Inc., All American Sports Group Inc., Easton-Bell Sports Inc., EB Sports and RGB Holdings.

Douglass and Cornell claim they have developed or are at increased risk of developing brain damage and/or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.

Riddell is the company that designed, manufactured, sold and distributed the helmets the plaintiffs wore. Douglass and Cornell claim the NFL knew or should have known their helmets did not adequately protect players from concussions.

They allege they played through concussions because they were not told of the consequences.

They are suing the NFL for failing to educate players of the consequences of concussions and for failing to take adequate measures to protect players.

Douglas and Cornell are seeking more than $50,000 in damages are being represented by Chicago attorney William T. Gibbs.

Circuit Court of Cook County Case No. 2013L012140.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.