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Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee
NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue creates the mild traumatic brain injury committee. Elliot Pellman was named the chairman even though he had no experience with head injuries. -
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Dr. Omalu
Dr. Omalu indentifies chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in the brains of former NFL players, Terry Long and Andre Waters. Both committed suicide in there mid 40s -
No risk in concussions
The Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee finds that returning to play after sustaining a concussion, "does not involve significant risk of a second injury either in the same game or during the season." -
Elliot Pellman Steps Down
Dr. Elliot Pellman realizes that he is not the guy for the job, so he steps down as chairman of the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee, but he still remains on the committee. -
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House Judiciary Committee
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defends the League's policy regarding concussions.Dr. Ira Cassan of the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee, denies a link between repeat head impacts and long term brain damage. -
Head, Neck and Spine Committee
The Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee is renamed the Head, Neck, and Spine committee.The new co-chairmen are selected and, Elliot Pellman is no longer on the panel. -
CTE
Former Chicago Bears defensive back Dave Duerson commits suicide at the age of 50 with a gunshot wound to the chest rather than his head so his brain can be researched for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Boston University researchers find CTE in Duerson's brain, the same disease found in other deceased NFL players. -
NFL lawsuit
A unified lawsuit combining more than 80 concussion-related lawsuits on behalf of more than 2,000 NFL players is filed in federal court in Philadelphia. The players accuse the NFL of negligence and failing to notify players of the link between concussions and brain injuries, in Multi-district Litigation Case No. 2323. -
NFL gets scared
The NFL files a motion to dismiss the concussion related lawsuits filed by former players. -
Another lawsuit
The NFL and ex-players reach a deal in the class action lawsuit that calls for the NFL to pay $765 million to fund medical exams, concussion-related compensation, medical research for retired NFL players and their families, and litigation expenses, according to a court document filed in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia. The agreement still needs to be approved by the judge assigned to the case, which has grown to include more than 4,500 plaintiffs. -
Lawsuit falls through
A federal judge declines to approve a proposed $760 million settlement of claims arising from concussions suffered by NFL players, she said she didnt think it was enough money. -
Former players sue
Former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino, and 14 other former NFL players, sues the NFL over concussions. The lawsuit claims the NFL knew for years of the link between concussions and long-term health problems. Marino decides to take his name off the list later that year. -
Class-Action Lawsuit Settlement
A federal judge gives final approval to a class-action lawsuit settlement between the National Football League and thousands of former players. The agreement provides up to $5 million per retired player for serious medical conditions associated with repeated head trauma.