By Cory A. DeCresenza, of Goldberg Segalla
DeMeco Ryans, a standout linebacker for the University of Alabama and former Houston Texan and Philadelphia Eagle, recently brought suit against the National Football League, his former team, and multiple entities stemming from a 2014 Achilles tendon injury.
Ryans, the defensive MVP of the 2006 Cotton Bowl and defensive Rookie of the Year after being selected first in the second round of the 2006 draft, played for the Texans from 2006-2011 and from 2012-2015 with the Eagles. While playing for the Eagles in Houston against his former team, he sustained an Achilles heel injury on November 3, 2014, allegedly as a result of defective turf. Although he returned to play in 2015, his statistics dropped and he was subsequently released by the Eagles in February 2016.
Ryans brought an action in October 2016 based on product liability, negligence, and premises liability theories against the NFL, Houston NFL Holdings LP d/b/a Houston Texans, Harris County Convention & Sports Corp. (the stadium owner), SMG (the statdium manager), and StrathAyr Turf Systems Pty Ltd. (the entity who allegedly made the turf). Ryans also pointed out the existence of other high-profile injuries sustained by players on the Texans’ field before it was replaced, including to New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker and Houston’s own linebacker, Jadeveon Clowney. He estimates that, without his November 2014 injury, he would have continued playing for another five years and made at least $10,000,000.
