Potential Legal Consequences Following Steelers, Browns Game

During the November 14, 2019 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, a fight broke out between Browns’ defensive lineman, Myles Garrett, and Steelers’ quarterback, Mason Rudolph. After a play ended with Garrett tackling Rudolph to the ground, both men engaged in a physical altercation, which ended with Garrett taking off Rudolph’s helmet and striking Rudolph in the head with it. In response, some other players from the Steelers, including Maurkice Pouncey, brought Garrett to the ground and started kicking and punching him.

The …

October 23, 2019 Defamation / Litigation / NFL

Browns Rushed to Identify Beer-Pouring Fan, Misidentified Fan Files Suit

The Tennessee Titans faced off against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio on September 8, 2019. As customary, a group of Browns fans sat in the area behind the home team’s goal post, dubbed the Dawg Pound. The Browns were trailing the Titans and, late in the fourth quarter, Baker Mayfield’s pass was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Titans cornerback, Malcolm Butler. Fellow Titan, Logan Ryan, decided to jump into the Dawg Pound while celebrating Butler’s pick six.

While celebrating, …

July 1, 2016 Litigation

Football Legend Jim Brown Rushes His Way to $600K Settlement in Publicity Rights Suit

NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown has accepted a $600,000 settlement offer from video game giant Electronic Arts (EA) to end his lawsuit alleging EA used his likeness in its NFL Madden video games after he expressly denied permission. As announced by Brown’s attorneys, the former Cleveland Browns running back accepted the cash award in exchange for dismissing the suit with prejudice in what they call a big victory for athletes against big business.

Jim Brown is known as one of the greatest football players …

August 31, 2014 Contract / NFL

Ex-NFL Linebacker’s Workers’ Compensation Claim Proceeds On Basis of Two Games Played in California

As an example of the type of claim likely meant to be curtailed by AB 1309 (previously discussed here), the claim of a former Carolina Panthers/Cleveland Browns linebacker continues to process its way through the California workers’ compensation system.

In his claim, ex-NFL linebacker Tarek Saleh alleged that he sustained multiple injuries while employed as a football player for the Carolina Panthers between May 1997-February 1999 and for the Cleveland Browns from February 1999-January 2002.

When Saleh was traded to the Browns, …