FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Kenny Stabler spent years taking hard hits as the quarterback for the Oakland Raiders. His wife is now suing the NFL.
She said Kenny Stabler suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is caused by repeated concussions. The league came up with a $1 billion settlement plan, but the families of former players say it's not enough.
Rose Stabler spoke Friday outside the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. She said the NFL is guilty of conspiring to hide the effects of head trauma on players.
Several players are part of the lawsuit, including ex-Detroit Lions player Tracy Scroggins, who has complained of memory loss since his time in the NFL.
Kenny Stabler passed away last July from colon cancer, but Rose Stabler said the Oakland Raiders quarterback long suffered from violent mood swings and other mental and physical health issues she never suspected were brain damage.
An examination of his brain postmortem revealed Kenny Stabler had chronic traumatic encephalopathy, known as CTE.
"I think it's shameful. I think the NFL needs to be held accountable for what they're doing," Rose Stabler said. "They basically used my husband and the other players as gladiators and treated them as such. I hope my wish is that Roger Goodall will understand that he does not want to leave a legacy of one similar to that of tobacco."
Her attorney said a settlement proposed by the NFL makes qualifying for any compensation nearly impossible. They feel the NFL is guilty of fraud and needs to create a practical way for these players to be diagnosed and treated.