Former Washington Redskins lineman Joe Jacoby is among 220 ex-players, spread over seven lawsuits, to sue the NFL over concussions in recent days.
A founding member of “The Hogs” offensive line, Jacoby played on four Super Bowl teams from 1981-93 and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 1980s. He is the fifth member of the team’s Ring of Fame to sue over concussions, joining Len Hauss, Billy Kilmer, Dexter Manley and Art Monk. Mark May is the other original member of “The Hogs” to sue.
Filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Jacoby’s suit said he “sustained repeated traumatic impacts to his head and/or concussions on multiple occasions.”
The NFL has repeatedly maintained the lawsuits are without merit.
Ten other former Redskins, including running back Mike Thomas, linebacker Greg Jones and linebacker Shawn Barber are included in the seven new lawsuits.
There are now 119 lawsuits involving 2,990 ex-players, according to a review by The Washington Times. Over 200 former Redskins are among the plaintiffs.
Five-time Pro Bowl running back Ricky Watters, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, is the lead plaintiff in Jacoby’s lawsuit.
Jacoby, 53, is an assistant coach with Shenandoah University’s football team in Winchester, Va.
