Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against the NFL

The family of the late Houston Antwine filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the NFL. In December 2005, Antwine was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease allegedly caused by repeated blows to the head. According to the lawsuit, he spent the next six years suffering from the disease.

Antwine died in December 2011 due to complications from heart disease and apparently Alzheimer’s. His wife also died 24 hours later from lung cancer.

Antwine was a 6-time Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro — spending the majority of his career playing for the Boston Patriots. He played in an era when concussions were simply just “dings.” It’s likely that Antwine played through numerous concussions and experienced thousands of sub-concussive blows.

The link between repeated blows to the head and Alzheimer’s disease is heavily disputed by the scientific community. However, according to a recent study, ex-NFLers that played five seasons or more are three times more likely to die from a neurodegenerative disease.

Antwine’s family, as well as the rest of the players suing the NFL, will have a mighty burden to show the NFL’s alleged wrongful conduct caused their neurological disease.