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A South Carolina panel has decided that the college sports governing body must compensate a former university athlete and his wife a total of $18m, finding the organization negligent for not managing to alert the individual about the lasting consequences of concussions.

Details of the Case

After a civil trial that ended recently, the jury in the local area awarded $10m to 68-year-old the former athlete, who participated as a player at South Carolina State University from 1977 to 1980. His spouse, Debra, was awarded $8m, as per legal records.

A physician diagnosed him with dementia several years ago, as reported a local newspaper. He now has difficulty with daily activities such as getting dressed and assisting in meal preparation.

Other physicians who testified at the proceedings stated that Geathers shows signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease observed in ex- athletes who received multiple impacts to the head while playing. This condition can only be diagnosed posthumously.

Arguments and Evidence

The couple's attorneys contended to the jury that blows Geathers took during practices and matches for the institution in Orangeburg led to trauma that remained hidden until decades later.

Geathers's attorney, the counsel, stated that the governing body knew about concussion risks since the 1930s, and at the time Geathers's playing days concluded, but didn't tell staff or athletes about those hazards until later.

"Everything they knew, they withheld," Sellers told jurors, noting that "their job was to ensure the boys protected."

NCAA Reaction and Legal Challenge

The decision can be challenged. In a statement provided through a spokesperson, the NCAA said that it disagreed with the verdict and was "prepared to exercise our options on further legal steps and on review, if required."

"We have won in every other jury trial around the country on these issues," and the South Carolina State team standards "adhered to the understanding that existed at the period, and the sport did not lead to Mr Geathers lifelong health problems," the statement said.

NCAA trial attorney the representative argued at the trial that the plaintiff has several medical issues that influence cognitive symptoms, and that the NCAA's football rules committee is made up of members of member schools that could suggest rules.

"It is inevitable that head impacts. That's inherent to the game. You can't take head-hits out of football," he said in final statements.

Jury Findings

According to reports, the panel found that the NCAA "heightened the danger of injury of head impacts to Robert Geathers over and above the risks natural to the sport." And it also concluded that the governing body "voluntarily assumed responsibilities to protect the health and safety of him" and that the organization "failed in their obligations" to him.

Following the trial, Sellers expressed that the result delivered justice: "It was rewarding to hug Debra Geathers. She can return and inform her spouse positive developments."