Christopher Powell, a former University of Kansas (KU) fullback from 1990-94, has filed a class-action lawsuit against NCAA for failing to protect athletes from the dangers related to concussions, brain injury and brain trauma.
The lawsuit filed in the in the U.S. District Court for Western Missouri, seeks an undetermined amount in damages for Powell and other athletes who suffered head trauma during their college years.
The former Jayhawk said that he suffered a minimum of four concussions while playing for the university football team. He claims that at one instance he lost his memory for one whole day.
According to a the law firm representing Powell, "primary concern, and the principal purpose for the lawsuit, is to protect him and other student athletes that played football in the NCAA from future harms associated with concussions," KU Sports reports.
"They have failed to establish known protocols to prevent, mitigate, monitor, diagnose and treat brain injuries," the lawsuit states. "As knowledge of the adverse consequences of head impacts in football has grown, the NCAA has never gone back to college football players to offer education or needed medical monitoring," Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Powell, of Kansas City, Mo., continues to suffer from neurologic and cognitive defects that require constant medical monitoring and expenses.
Apart from being negligent, Powell also blames the NCAA for failing to provide post-collegiate financial aid to former players who are forced to deal with the consequences of head trauma.
Powell is regarded as 'one of the best backfield blockers in the Big Eight' and 'a tough, physical player who enjoys contact.'
"Chris Powell is what college football is all about. There is not a better blocking fullback in the conference, and I doubt if there is a better blocking fullback in the nation. He's part of the heart and soul of this team," Glen Mason, who coached the Jayhawks from 1988-96, said.
During his stint with KU, Powell appeared in more than 30 games, gained 125 yards on 37 carries and scored one touchdown.
