Former Dolphins quarterback Pat White wisely dismissed his concussion lawsuit (actually, he filed two of them) before returning to the NFL, signing with the Redskins.  But maybe he didn’t need to do that.  After all, two other players made comebacks without scrapping their own lawsuits against the league.

A league source advises that former Jaguars, Rams, and Falcons center Brett Romberg, a plaintiff in one of the original concussion lawsuits filed in July 2011, re-signed with the Falcons the following month, after a year out of football.

Cut in early September 2011, Romberg again re-signed with the Falcons later that month, remaining with the team for the balance of the year and appearing in two games.

We’ve also confirmed, as first reported by Nathan Fenno of the Washington Times, that defensive end Patrick Chukwurah signed with the Seahawks last season after filing suit for concussions suffered earlier in his career.

While not binding on the many other former players who have sued, this dynamic supports the notion that plenty of the concussion plaintiffs view the litigation as a lawyer-driven strategy for finagling a little extra money from a former employer, and that many of the players would welcome the chance to make more money playing football despite the brain damage they’ve supposedly sustained.

As Ross Tucker aptly put it earlier today on Twitter, “Pat White situation makes me wonder how many guys on concussion lawsuit would bail if a team offered them contract?”  We know Pat White would, because Pat White did.  Despite allegedly permanent injuries, White was perfectly fine when he had to be.
Even though that’s only one out of 4,000 plaintiffs, it does far more damage to the concussion lawsuits than any permanent harm White ever suffered in the NFL.

Especially since we now know that he actually suffered none.


(profootballweekly.com)

Football provided centre Brett Romberg with an athletic scholarship to the University of Miami, a rock-star college lifestyle and a lucrative NFL paycheque for nine seasons.

But it did so at a price.

Romberg willingly left football this off-season to work with former Hurricanes offensive linemates Joaquin Gonzalez and Toronto's Sherko Haji-Rasouli at a Miami tire distribution company. But the 32-year-old native of Windsor, Ont., is convinced the years of 'bangin' ' have left him with a degree of brain trauma.

"There's no doubt in my mind," Romberg told The Canadian Press via telephone from Miami recently. "Honest to God, I can't remember so many things.

"Game scenarios? Don't remember them. I have few memories of high school or playing junior football for AKO Fratmen (in Windsor), my memory is foggy about stuff like that. Times in college, games we went to, bowl games . . . I don't even remember.''

And that includes how Miami systematically dispatched Nebraska 37-14 in the 2002 Rose Bowl to capture the U.S. college football title.

"All I remember about the Rose Bowl is walking off the field with a Canadian flag stuck in my shoulder pads," Romberg said. "For Christ sake, my whole family went out for that game and I don't remember being with them, nothing.

"So there's no doubt in my mind there is some damage. I can't pinpoint it, obviously.''

Lawsuits from thousands of former NFL players have been filed south of the border this year against the league accusing it of hiding information linking football-related head trauma to permanent brain injuries.

Romberg has experienced more than just memory loss.

"Yeah, I go through states of depression too,'' he said. "I don't know whether that's common and everybody goes through it or is it something that is related to football?

"I have no clue. There has to be something going on. Regardless of how many concussions you've had, I think that does have an impact on your head with all that bangin'.''

Surprisingly, that's what Romberg misses most about being out of football.

"It's drudgery when you're playing and it's tough to go out in full gear Wednesday and have to hit after a Sunday when you got the crap kicked out of you," he said. "As much as you hated it, though, you definitely liked to get that feeling when you're popping somebody in the mouth because there's really nothing like it.
"The locker-room comradery is also something you can't find in corporate America. I got involved in this (with Gonzalez and Haji-Rasouli) because it's probably the closest thing I can get to a locker-room without getting a sexual assault charge or some kind of HR problem.''

Romberg was among Atlanta's last cuts last year but rejoined the club shortly afterwards and completed his second season there. While convinced he can still play — he said he has fielded offers from several clubs — Romberg felt it was time to get on with life after football.

"My wife ended up staying in Miami and working last year and it was tough having her fly every weekend to wherever we were at to see me for a few hours, then go back about her business here,'' Romberg said. "It was crazy.

"I also ended up missing my brother's wedding in Windsor and had to have the Falcons film crew do like a nice film that they ended up playing at the reception.''
The challenge of a new career — running the Canadian division of Tire Group International — and being able to settle into a new house with his wife, Emily — a corporate real estate lawyer in Miami — with plans to start a family soon made it easy for Romberg to turn his back on the almost US$1 million he'd earn this season as a 10-year NFL veteran.

"Yeah, it's a lot of money but I just realized after taxes and everything, $500,000 isn't worth disrupting what I have going on now for maybe a year and burning any bridges I might have in the business world,'' Romberg said. "And then there's possibly scrambling my eggs worse than they are, blowing a knee out and being in a cast and going through rehab and never having the same feeling in my appendages.

"And then, obviously the older you get the more painkillers you have to take and the more and more you rely on the pills and drugs to kind of get you through the week as opposed to your body the way it felt when you were a lot younger.

"A half-million bucks isn't going to change the way I'm living. I'm going to be 33 years old and if you had told me 10 years ago that I'd be playing in the NFL until I was 32 I would've kissed you.''

After a stellar tenure at Miami, Romberg signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars, spending time on the practice roster before being promoted to the active roster.

Romberg remained with the Jaguars until 2006 before joining the St. Louis Rams and playing there until 2009 when he signed with Atlanta. Overall, he appeared in 44 NFL games, starting 18.

In college, Romberg helped Miami reach two NCAA title games, winning one, and also received the Rimington Trophy as the NCAA's top centre. He was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, given annually to the top lineman, and was named a consensus first team all-American in 2002.

He started his final 37 college games and never surrendered a sack. Off the field, Romberg was a larger-than-life figure for his punchy anecdotes to reporters, gregarious personality and willingness to do just about anything once, including pinching opponents' bottoms during games.

Prior to Ohio State's 31-24 double overtime Fiesta Bowl win over Miami in the NCAA title game Jan. 3, 2003, Gene Wojciechowski of ESPN The Magazine called Romberg "the best Canadian import since a case of Labatt's Blue.''

Teammates weren't immune, either, as Romberg earned a well deserved reputation of being a practical joker.

"Oh yeah, I had a lot of fun but life is so much bigger than football," Romberg said. "Life in the NFL is phenomenal, it's a great life and I wouldn't have changed it for the world.

"But it's a fairytale, an absolute fairytale. The reality check you get when you're done is a little bit different.''

Two years ago while with Atlanta, Romberg remembers experiencing a reality check in Tampa while out for dinner with the other offensive linemen.
"We're playing credit card roulette for a $1,500-$2,000 meal and it's no big deal,'' Romberg said. "I'm sitting there looking at the young waiter serving us who couldn't have been more than three or four years younger than me and this guy is making a living doing what he needs to do in order to survive.

"Now, we're not necessarily lucky because we did sacrifice a lot to get to where we were but I put my knife and fork down and was like, 'Do you guys realize that: How does what we do change anybody's life? You have doctors who save people's lives, you have policemen, firemen and military people who are putting their lives on the line for us and we're playing a game, we're getting paid more than any of those people and getting paid and we're not really doing anything more than giving that guy who works 40-50 hours a week something to watch Sunday.'

"It's a Catch-22 in my eyes.''

There's plenty the six-foot-three, 260-pound Romberg — down roughly 40 pounds from his playing weight — doesn't miss about football, like training camp and the physical toll it takes on one's body.

"I might be 32 but I don't have an average 32-year-old's body," Romberg said with a chuckle. "I've got problems with my shoulders, my back and my ankles.''
But all that pales in comparison to Romberg's disdain for the politics of the game.

"These GMs have to justify their (draft) picks," Romberg said. "Be that by giving a free-agent guy one or two reps in a pre-season game but giving a third-rounder a couple of quarters because they have to find a way to make it a reality that this guy has to be on the team because he was drafted.

"And it happens more than the public knows. Hell, half the centres that were drafted in my year were gone after the second year. It's a numbers game and you look good on paper and that's what brings you in the door and then your draft year keeps you there for a year or two depending on how high you were. After that you kind of become a lost commodity.''

Romberg admits the business side of the game has drastically diminished his love for it.

"I think it probably gutted it the moment I got into the NFL," Romberg said. "There's no doubt in my mind the business aspect of football just tears at the fun because it's no longer a game.

"It's actually your job, it puts food on your plate and young guys don't realize that until their third or fourth year when they start getting cut because they can get a younger guy who's a little bit cheaper and you have to do something pretty productive or pretty special that the young kid can't do.

"Luckily I always had a good offensive line coach for the majority of my career. My big slogan by the time I was in my sixth year was, 'You're only as good as your coach wants you to be.' ''

However, Romberg remains very appreciative of the opportunities football has afforded him.

"It's definitely a blessing,'' he said. "The doors the NFL has opened for me, the friends I have now in the music business and in Hollywood is all stuff a kid from Windsor would never, ever get an opportunity to do outside the fairytale of being in the spotlight and is very special.

"It's been a relatively smooth transition being able to basically end it on my terms and not because of a devastating injury. And with my job I've been to Canada more in the last five months than I have the last five years and it's good to see my family more often.

"I know I could still play and do what many of those guys are doing Sunday. But the question is: Does my body want to do it and do I really want to do it anymore? I have that opportunity in my life to do something with my mind rather than my body and possibly get my family started and settle down. That's more of a priority.''


(globalregina.com)

Several former Hurricanes football players, including Brett Romberg, Bubba Franks, Gary Dunn, Damione Lewis, Jeremy Shockey and Daniel Stubbs, are slated to fish in the second annual University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame Celebrity Dolphin Tournament June 30 in Islamorada.

Hosted by Warren Sapp, the event provides anglers with the opportunity to fish alongside former UM sports stars while raising money for the UM Sports Hall of Fame, Shake-a-Leg Miami and Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys.

Visit canesfish.com, send e-mail to info@canesfish.com or call K.C. Jones at 305-925-3660.

Every Thursday Night proCanes.com joins All Canes Radio to bring the latest news on not only current Hurricane football but also proCane news and exclusive interviews with current and former proCanes live from the All Canes Store in Coral Gables. Click here to listen to this week’s show and hear our exclusive interview with proCanes Brett Romberg and KC Jones and listen to as they talk about their NFL playing days, days at The U and much more. It is truly a MUST LISTEN.

Also, click here to check out more information on the 2nd Annual UM Sports Hall of Fame Celebrity Dolphin Tournament. BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!

The National Football League Management Council and the Atlanta Falcons are suing the National Football League Players Association and several former players who filed workers' comp claims in California.

The suit seeks "confirmation of an arbitration award that certain NFL players cease and desist from the pursuit of workers' compensation benefits in the state of California," the suit says.

The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Atlanta, says Georgia is the exclusive jurisdiction for Falcon players who file claims. The recent arbitration ruling ordered the players to withdraw their California workers' comp claims and file in Georgia. The players named in the suit are Roderick Coleman, Wilrey Fontenot, Tony Gilbert, Kindal Moorehead, Stanley Pritchett, Karon Riley, Brett Romberg, Jason Webster, and Dez White. Players from outside California have filed in that state due to a legal loophole. Several states have taken action to prevent such claims.


(riskandinsurance.com)

On February 27th the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame hosted its 1st Annual Celebrity Bowling Tournament at Splitsville in South Miami featuring former Miami Hurricanes and many proCanes including: Reggie Wayne, Brett Romberg, Duane Starks, Bubba Franks, Gino Torretta, Earl Little and many more! Each bowler had at least one former Miami Hurricane athlete on their team and not only got to interact with the former players but also got to take part in a Silent Auction full of Hurricane Memorabilia. It was a great time had by all who participated and if you missed out this year, make sure to sign up for next year's event! Check out the photos below: 


Reggie Wayne, Duane Starks

Brett Romberg

Daniel “Bubba” Franks

Darrin Smith, Gerard Loisel, Reggie Wayne

Gino Torretta

KC Jones

Randall “Thrill” Hill

Darrin Smith and Son
Click here to see more photos ----->>>> Read More...

The University of Miami 2001 Baseball and Football National Championship teams were honored at halftime of the Cavaliers Hurricanes game last night. Check out our exclusive photos below!

Tecumseh’s Brett Romberg believes that the Atlanta Falcons are capable of being a special team this year, just one of the reasons the seven-season NFL veteran centre opted to return to the team he last played for in 2009. “Hopefully, it’s something similar to the way Green Bay had something happen to them last year,” Romberg said of the 4-3 Falcons. “A little bit of a rocky start. Ebbs and flows. Win, loss, win, loss. Then all of a sudden, things are developing, players are gelling together. We’re understanding the capabilites of the players and accentuating their positives. Hopefully, it’s just a steamroller from here.”

Romberg had been out of the league for almost a year when he got the call from Atlanta in late August. “It was totally out of the blue,” he said. “The Falcons were interested in a guy coming in who knew the offence, who wouldn’t be a problem, something where I could jump right in and play. They have a great thing going here. They were interested in having somebody familiar with the system, who had a great relationship with the locker-room. There was basically no negatives. It was an easy transition on both sides. It’s a perfect fit.”

Another bonus from his NFL return? Romberg, 32, wasn’t required to endure a training camp. “They called right before fourth pre-season game,” he said. “Maybe out of the 8, 9 years (in the NFL), four of them were comfortable training camps, the other four were not knowing if you’re going to make the squad or not.”

Romberg also dealt some kudos out to his old team, the unbeaten Windsor AKO Fratmen, who play host to the Hamilton Hurricanes in Saturday’s Ontario Football Conference final at Alumni Field. “They’ve had a great season,” Romberg said. “Coach Mike LaChance has done a great job with the team.” AKO was scheduled to honour Romberg with a jersey retirement ceremony of his No. 65 this season, but those plans were put on hold when he returned to the NFL.



(windsorstar.com)

As the Atlanta Falcons prepared to kick off to the Detroit Lions, Tecumseh's Brett Romberg stood on the Ford Field sideline amidst his teammates, decked out in a black Falcons golf shirt and matching pants.

It's not the position he'd hoped for on his first chance to play an NFL game in Detroit.

Nonetheless, he was much closer to the action than a year ago.

"It was something that was totally unexpected," Romberg, 32, said of the late-August call he got from the Falcons, gauging his interest on returning to the team he'd last played for in 2009.

Unexpected and unlikely.

"I'd kind of moved on with my life a little bit," Romberg said after the Falcons dropped the Lions 23-16 Sunday. "I started a hedge fund with a buddy back in Miami. I was more focused on my second career, as opposed to getting back into the NFL.

"Luckily, things aligned, I got a phone call, and the rest is history."

So certain was the sixfoot-two, 293-pound centre, a seven-year NFL veteran, that his gridiron days were done that Romberg admitted if any other team came calling, he would have likely declined the offer.

"I don't know if the opportunity had arose with another organization, whether I would have jumped on it," Romberg said. "I don't think I would have taken it."

The Falcons, though, were a perfect fit.

They were looking for a veteran guy who knew their offence, was a good fit with their coaches and players, and who wouldn't ruffle feathers if he didn't see much game action.

"It was an easy transition on both sides," Romberg said. "I like the guys here quite a bit. I have a great relationship with them, coaches included. And being able to miss a whole training camp and come in and be on the team was pretty nice.

"There was basically no negatives."

Some sacrifice was involved, however. Romberg was supposed to stand up for his brother Bradley's wedding two weeks ago in Windsor.
"I had the (Falcons) video guys help me out with my best man's speech," Romberg said.

"I sent it up there with my wife (Emily).

"It would have been better to be there in person, but I did what I could."

Romberg's junior team, the Windsor AKO Fratmen, with whom he was named the CJFL's top offensive lineman in 1997, shelved a plan to retire his No. 65 jersey until at least next year.

"There's a lot of things you sacrifice, but this is a great opportunity," he said. "It's hard enough getting in the NFL once.

Getting in there twice is nothing short of a miracle."

Week to week, his role changes. Two weeks ago against Green Bay, Romberg subbed for injured guard Garrett Reynolds.

Sunday, he sought to help any way he could from his sideline perch.

"It's all about understanding the role that you have on Sunday," Romberg said.

"Whether it had been a couple of weeks ago, I had to jump in there against Green Bay, or this week, where it's looking at numbers, identifying blitzes, communicating with the coaches, telling the guys what I'm seeing from the side.

"You try to stay in the foot-ball game, help out as much as you can.

"You get anxious, you want to be out there, but you do what you can."

For a veteran, it's certainly not an easy role to fill.

"I love playing football," Romberg said. "I don't like watching it too much."

Regardless, compared to Romberg's vantage point last season - his living room - he'll definitely take the viewing upgrade.


(windsorstar.com)

Atlanta Falcons guard Garrett Reynolds was shaken up, and did not return. Brett Romberg took his place and very well. The extent of the injury is unknown but look for Romberg to step in again if Reynolds cannot play.

Falcons re-signed C Brett Romberg and waived C Rob Bruggeman. The Falcons presumably released Romberg at final cuts because they didn't want to guarantee the 32-year-old's salary.



(fantasysp.com)

The Philadelphia Eagles cut rookie running back Graig Cooper. The Eagles are deep at the running back position, so look for Cooper to sign as a free agent with another team, he looked quite good this pre-season. The Eagles also cut WR Sinorice Moss. Moss had another great training camp, but was a victim of a deep crop of WRs. Moss has the talent and has shown it when given the opportunity and when healthy. WRs go down due to injury quite often, look for a team to pick him up.

The Miami Dolphins cut TE Dedrick Epps. Epps was cut last year as well but eventually made the Dolphins practice squad. Look for him to latch onto the practice squad again considering how thin the Dolphins are at the TE position.

WR Darnell Jenkins was cut by the New England Patriots. Most scouts seem to think he will find a spot on someone’s roster.

S Jared Campbell, brother of Arizona Cardinal Calais Campbell was cut by the Cardinals. Campbell played well in limited action in the preseason. He may be able to make a practice squad.

The New England Patriots, in a surprise move, cut safety Brandon Meriweather. Meriweather who has been to two consecutive Pro Bowls reportedly freelanced too much in the Patriot backfield and was underperforming. It’s not clear as to whether it was also money issue, but Meriweather is definitely still an elite talent at safety in the NFL. Look for teams thin at that position like the Dolphins and Chiefs to go after Meriweather.

Baraka Atkins LB/DE who had been signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason was cut as well. Atkins was one of the final cuts of the Denver Broncos last year after spending the beginning of his career with the Seahawks.

10-year veteran DL Damione Lewis was cut by the Houston Texans. Lewis was a late addition to the Texans squad last year and played very well both last year and this preseason. What didn’t help Lewis this year was the fact that the Texans changed to a 3-4 defense and Lewis is much better suite as a DL in the 4-3.

Brett Romberg who was a surprise signing by the Atlanta Falcons only a couple of days ago, after not playing at all during the 2010 season, was cut by the Falcons as concerns over their starting center’s health subsided. Don’t be surprised to see Romberg get signed if the Falcons sustain an injury there.

Running back Damien Berry was cut by the Ravens. Berry was slowed by an ankle injury that he suffered in the first game of the pre season, and as a result didn’t play until the fourth game. Berry has NFL skills. BERRY WAS SIGNED TO THE RAVENS PRACTICE SQUAD.

LB Tavares Gooden. Gooden was drafted by the Ravens to eventually replace Ray Lewis at the MLB position, but injuries have really slowed his career. Gooden, if healthy, can start for most NFL teams, but this pre season was no different as he continued to deal with injuries. THE SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS SIGNED GOODEN TO A 1-YEAR DEAL.

Rookie defensive back Ryan Hill was waived by the Minnessota Vikings. Hill didn’t play a lot this pre season but when he did, like in the final pre season game for the Vikings, he performed well leading the team in tackles. The Vikings had Hill listed as a safety. He has the size and speed to play both corner and safety which gives him the type of versatility a lot of teams look for.

Javarris James, RB who led the Indianapolis Colts last year in rushing touchdowns after playing only about half the season was cut by the Colts.

Second-year defensive lineman Dwayne Hendricks who was on the NY Giants practice squad last year and was called up and played in a regular season game last year for the Giants was cut. Giants did have a very good pre-season. THE GIANTS SIGNED HENDRICKS TO THEIR PRACTICE SQUAD.

Rookie DB Corey Nelms was cut by the 49ers. Nelms was a surprise free agent signing and did get playing time in the preseason. THE 49ERS SIGNED NELMS TO THEIR PRACTICE SQUAD.

Rookie Fullback Patrick Hill was cut by the Tennessee Titans. Hill didn’t get any carries in the preseason for the Titans.

Falcons re-signed C Brett Romberg. A 19-game starter over six seasons, Romberg last saw action as a reserve and special teamer with Atlanta back in 2009. Overall, Romberg has played in 46 NFL games, also with the Jaguars and Rams, and made 19 career starts.


(fantasysp.com)

On Saturday proCanes.com had the opportunity to atttend the Annual Hurricane Football Reunion Party at Miami Prime Grill in North Miami. The event was attended by over 100 former Hurricane greats including the likes of Ed Reed, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Michael Irvin and many more.

Gerard Daphnis of Canes4Life organized the event which also honored the 2001 National Championship team. Over 300 former players were in attendance at the 2011 Spring Game where the University of Miami which was held at Lockhart Stadium before the party. Click here to view our full photo gallery of over 500 pictures from the Hurricane Reunion Party and Spring Game. Enjoy!









Click here to view our full photo gallery of over 500 pictures from the Hurricane Reunion Party and Spring Game. Enjoy!