A federal judge granted final approval Wednesday to the settlement of long-running concussion litigation between the NFL and retired players.
In a 132-page opinion in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, Judge Anita Brody called the deal "fair, reasonable and adequate."
The agreement compensates retired players who suffer from a variety of problems, including Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Monetary awards will be determined on a sliding scale based on a player's seasons in the NFL, age at diagnosis and other criteria.
"Today’s decision powerfully underscores the fairness and propriety of this historic settlement," said Jeff Pash, NFL executive vice president and general counsel, in a statement.