Brett Romberg supports proposed NFL deal

Tecumseh's Brett Romberg joined former Detroit Lions offensive tackle Lomas Brown and other former football players who hope a proposed $765 million settlement with the National Football League can make a difference in the lives of thousands of ex-players who are suffering from dementia and other concussion-related brain injuries.

"The NFL took a step in the right direction," said Romberg, a Belle River high school grad who retired from the NFL in 2012 after a nine-year career.

"They messed up in the past but the $765 million will be a much-needed Band-Aid, especially for those who suffered injuries 20 and 30 years ago."

Romberg, who said he suffered head trauma while playing football in high school, college and the pros, was one of 84 former players who started the lawsuit against the NFL in 2010.

He withdrew his name from the lawsuit to sign a $1-million contract with the Atlanta Falcons in 2012.

"I don't regret not being part of this settlement," Romberg said.

"I was aware of the consequences of my injuries but I wanted to leave the game on my own terms.

"I had another career to fall back on. I'm just glad to see the NFL acknowledge the direct correlation between head injuries and the pain and suffering of former players."

Romberg, 33, is now a sales manager of Tire Group International in Miami. His wife, Emily, is a corporate real estate lawyer.

Brown, a seven-time Pro Bowler with Detroit, Arizona, Cleveland, the New York Giants and Tampa Bay, and Super Bowl-winning quarterback Jim McMahon were among the more than 4,500 former athletes - some suffering from dementia, depression or Alzheimer's - who have sued the NFL since the first case was filed in Philadelphia in 2011.

They accused the league of concealing the long-term dangers of concussions and rushing injured players back onto the field, while glorifying and profiting from the kind of bonejarring hits that make for spectacular highlight-reel footage. "I'm curious how they came up with the figure and I've got a lot of questions, but I am happy that it's done," Brown told The Associated Press. "Any time the NFL acknowledges they are ready to settle something, it shows they knew they had some sort of negligence."

The settlement would mean immediate compensation for ailing former players and their families, as well as medical exams and treatment for all other retirees - a group that could total more than 20,000. It also would set aside $10 million for research that the plaintiffs hope will protect future generations from the devastating effects of repeated blows to the head.

The settlement still has to be approved by Senior U.S. District Judge Anita Brody in Philadelphia.


(windsorstar.com)