Paul Krause Leads 106 Plaintiffs Suing NFL for Brain Damage from Head Injuries

Hall of Fame safety Paul Krause is no longer playing defense in the NFL. In fact, the record holder for career interceptions is launching an offensive against the NFL with 105 teammates.

According to to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post:

Krause is joined by Hall of Famers Lem Barney and Joe DeLamielleure. The actual lead plaintiff on the lawsuit, according to Pro Football Weekly, is former Vikings OG Brent Boyd.

According to PFW's report:

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The players allege in the lawsuit, filed by Hausfeld LLP, that they face neurological disorders after suffering repeated head impacts and concussions during their football careers. Boyd, the lead plaintiff, is the only living player to be diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), according to Hausfeld LLP.

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This is not a new thing against the NFL.

Former Harvard athlete/graduate and writer Christopher Nowinski has collaborated with several former NFL players and along with Dr. Robert Cantu, who founded Sports Legacy Institute.

According to their site, "The mission of the Sports Legacy Institute is to advance the study, treatment and prevention of the effects of brain trauma in athletes and other at-risk groups."

Nowinski's findings have put added pressure on the NFL acknowledge the health risks associated with their game.

The PFW report quotes Hausfeld LLP's press release citing eerily similar:

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The NFL has long been aware of the serious risks to football players from head impacts, but chose instead to minimize and downplay the scientific evidence acknowledging these risks. The plaintiffs contend that as a result of the NFL's improper conduct, the league caused serious injuries to thousands of players.

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It is well documented that the NFL has not done a good job handling the benefits of retired and/or injured players. This was one of the major points the NFLPA was fighting for in the CBA negotiations during the lockout.

With legendary names attached to this latest lawsuit, it certainly will not go away any time soon.

Krause's 81 career interceptions is a long-standing NFL record with no active players truly in range of catching him. Ed Reed is the leading active player with 57 career picks.