NCAA Challenges $140M Verdict in 1950s CTE Case: What You Need to Know

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has publicly disagreed with a Texas jury’s $140 million verdict in a chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) case involving a former SMU college football player from the 1950s.

The family of J.T. Davis, who died of Alzheimer’s disease with severe CTE, filed the lawsuit. The jury awarded $30 million in compensatory damages and $110 million in punitive damages.

NCAA’s Official Response

The NCAA expresses its deepest sympathies to the Davis family, but we respectfully disagree with the jury’s verdict. The evidence presented was largely based on the knowledge and science as it exists today, rather than what was known by the parties in the 1950s when Mr. Davis played college football.

The NCAA emphasized its ongoing commitment to player safety in college athletics, stating it is not a medical body but remains a leader in funding independent research on concussions in sports. The organization also announced its intention to pursue all legal options, including an appeal.

Key Details of the Verdict

• Compensatory damages: $30 million
• Punitive damages: $110 million
• Texas punitive cap: $750,000

The punitive damages award far exceeds Texas’ statutory limit of $750,000 for such cases. Critics argue that for wealthy entities, even the maximum punitive award may serve as little more than a cost of doing business rather than a true deterrent.

The goal of punitive damages is to punish wrongdoing and discourage similar behavior. However, when applied to organizations with substantial financial resources, the effectiveness of such penalties is often questioned.