COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -
A former defensive tackle for the Gamecocks has joined a class-action lawsuit against the NCAA that claims the organization did not adequately protect college football players from the dangers of head injuries.
Stanley Doughty, who played at South Carolina from 2003 to 2006, is just the latest player to join the suit that was initially filed by a player from Eastern Illinois University back in 2011.
According to court documents filed on Tuesday, Doughty claims he experienced multiple traumatic head impacts throughout his college football career in Columbia.
The documents tell of at least two incidents where Doughty collided with another player and became temporarily paralyzed.
"In 2005 in a game against the University of Tennessee, Doughty collided with now Houston Texans running back Arian Foster, leaving him momentarily unable to move," said the document. "The team did not order an MRI. Mr. Doughty rested in the locker room for 5 minutes and then returned to the field."
The brief goes on to say Doughty was unable to have a career in the NFL because team trainers declared him medically unable to play due to being diagnosed with acquired spinal injury, a medical issue "often acquired by sudden, traumatic, helmet to helmet collisions."
Doughty now lives in Amite, Louisiana, and claims his years of football have had a significant impact on his life.
"Doughty experiences limited use of his right arm and a burning sensation, anxiety, irritability, depression, mood swings, inability to concentrate, and sleeplessness," said the document. "He is at increased risk of latent brain injuries caused by repeated head impacts in his college football career and therefore is in need of medical monitoring."
The players in this suit are seeking damages because they claim the NCAA failed "to educate football players about the long-term, life-altering risks and consequences of head impacts in football."
The NCAA suit is similar to the suit 4,500 players filed against the NFL several years ago that said the league hid the dangers of concussions from players.
The NFL recently agreed to pay $765 million to settle the suit.
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Stanley Doughty (Source: GamecocksOnline)
