$18 Million Verdict: NCAA Found Negligent in Former College Player’s Head-Injury Suit

A jury in Orangeburg County, South Carolina awarded $18 million to former college football player Robert Geathers and his wife Debra after finding that the NCAA was negligent in failing to warn him of the long-term effects of repeated head trauma. The award broke down to $10 million for Geathers and $8 million for his wife.

Geathers played defensive end at South Carolina State University from 1977 to 1980. He was later diagnosed with dementia and medical experts in the trial testified he exhibits symptoms consistent with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), although CTE can only be definitively diagnosed post-mortem.

Central to the plaintiff’s case was the allegation that the NCAA knew about concussion risks dating back to the 1930s and yet failed to warn players or implement protective protocols during Geathers’ college career.

The jury found that the NCAA ‘unreasonably increased the risk of harm of head impacts … over and above the risks inherent to playing football’ and that it ‘voluntarily assumed duties’ to protect Geathers and then breached them.

The NCAA has stated it disagrees with the verdict, asserts the college followed standards of the time, and plans to pursue post-trial motions and appeal.