Disbursement of the up-to-$1B settlement of claims against the NFL by retirees for head injuries they suffered while playing has been delayed again with a last moment appeal by former NFLer Raymond Armstrong to the U.S. Supreme Court, according to a note that appeared late yesterday on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals docket for the case. The settlement has been approved by a lower district court and the Third Circuit, with today being the deadline for filing Supreme Court appeals; though apparently Armstrong notified the high court last week. Had no appeal been filed, the settlement could have become active. In response, class counsel for the retirees, Chris Seeger, in a statement said, “We believe the Supreme Court should deny the appellants’ petition, as these objections have now been exhaustively examined and overruled by both the District Court and the Third Circuit. Despite the fact that the claims process has not opened due to delays caused by these appeals, more than 9,000 retired players have sought enrollment in the settlement’s benefits. These appeals come with devastating consequences for the thousands of retired NFL players suffering from neurocognitive injuries and effectively stand between truly injured retired players and their sole prospect for obtaining benefits while still alive. While we are pleased several appellants have decided against petitioning the U.S. Supreme Court, it is clear the few lawyers still objecting to this settlement have motives other than what is in the best interest of the retired NFL player community. We hope the Court will reject this appeal and affirm the settlement so former players can finally receive the care and support they urgently need.”
