12/21/24
July 09, 2013
Barrett Green sues: the Washington NFL team, Gregg Williams, and Robert Royal for fostering and participating in the bounty program that encouraged the "unusual, outrageous, and... obvious cheap shot" that ended his career.
posted by Hugh Janus to football at 10:12 AM - 2 comments
Yeah, this one is going to be interesting to keep an eye on. It will have larger implications throughout sports with regard to things such as assumption of risk, consent to physical contact and the scope of that consent. I'm sure that Williams will:
(1) Deny all allegations. The burden of proof in Mr. Goodell's courtroom isn't quite as high as an American civil court; and
(2) if the allegations hold water, raise defenses to tortious conduct like Green's acceptance of the risk of severe physical injury on every play and his consent to be hit, even low, by blockers.
posted by tahoemoj at 07:12 PM on July 09, 2013
Anyway, it seemed interesting to see a player taking legal recourse in response to systematic, premeditated rule-breaking with intent to injure. Reminds me of local police authorities going after NHL players who commit grievous penalties that end other players' seasons and careers.
For what it's worth, I hope he wins. I'm certainly appalled that Gregg Williams has a job in the NFL.