Overview
- An Orangeburg County, South Carolina, jury ruled the NCAA failed to warn former South Carolina State defensive end Robert Geathers about long-term concussion risks.
- Jurors cited 47 instances of negligence spanning 1933 to 1980 and found the NCAA unreasonably increased head-impact risk beyond what is inherent to football.
- Damages were set at $10 million to Geathers and $8 million to his wife, Debra, for loss of consortium.
- Geathers, 68, was diagnosed with dementia in 2017, and physicians testified he shows symptoms consistent with CTE, with reports detailing severe memory loss and daily-function impairments.
- The NCAA disputed liability, asserting member schools set standards based on the era’s knowledge and stating it will seek relief through post-trial motions and appeal.