WASHINGTON — A major architect of the landmark concussion settlement reached with the National Football League on behalf of retired players said on Thursday it would be "selfish" for anyone to appeal the deal.
Christopher Seeger, co-lead counsel for the retired NFL players, said if even one of the 5,000 players involved in the settlement filed an appeal, benefits would probably be held up a year.
U.S. District Judge Anita Brody on Wednesday approved the settlement of a lawsuit brought by the former players who accused the NFL of keeping secret the dangers of concussions.
Seeger said appeals were unlikely to succeed because Brody, who has worked on the case since 2013 and twice sent it back to lawyers to be reworked, gave the deal the green light.