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The widow of Vikings lineman Korey Stringer filed a lawsuit against the National Football League on Monday, claiming it fosters a "deadly culture" of abusive practices that led to her husband's death from complications of heatstroke.
Kelci Stringer is seeking unspecified damages against the NFL, equipment manufacturer Riddell Sports Group of Chicago and John Lombardo, a league medical consultant who also runs the NFL's drug program.
The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Columbus, Ohio, claims coaches and trainers subject players to possible fatal conditions by forcing them to practice and play in high heat and humidity, "ostensibly out of the twisted belief that players benefit from being subjected to such working conditions."
Stringer, a 335-pound lineman, collapsed at a Vikings practiceJuly 31, 2001, in Mankato, Minn., on a day when the heat index reportedly was in the 100-degree range. He was treated initially for heat exhaustion at the field, then taken to a hospital, where his body temperature was measured at 108.8. He died 15 hours later.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in a statement that the league "has not seen the lawsuit and cannot comment on the substance of it. We share the Stringer family's sadness, but we are surprised and disappointed that the approach to this tragedy is to continue to pursue a strategy of litigation."
Kelci Stringer sued the Vikings and training camp physician David Knowles in a wrongful death case, but a Minnesota judge dismissed the suit.
Agent: McGahee readyWillis McGahee's agent insists the injured first-round draft pick is ready to begin practicing as soon as he signs a contract with the Bills.
"He's 100 percent ready to go," Drew Rosenhaus said. "I think they're underestimating him. I think he's going to play for sure. And we want to get him up there to have a chance to show it."
Bills president Tom Donahoe disagreed. Saying Rosenhaus is attempting to improve his position in contract talks, Donahoe added that the agent should "leave the medical opinions to the medical people."
McGahee, a star running back at Miami, has been working out at his Miami home while recuperating from tears to three ligaments in his left knee during the national championship game.
The Bills have been extremely cautious with McGahee's rehabilitation. Even when he does sign, they are expected to place him on the physically unable to perform list, which would keep him inactive until Week 10.
BROWNS: Center Jeff Faine, Cleveland's first-round draft pick who is expected to move directly into the starting lineup, ended a one-week holdout by agreeing to terms on a five-year deal.
CARDINALS: First-round draft pick Calvin Pace agreed to a four-year deal worth about $8-million with a team option for a fifth.
COWBOYS: Second-year receiver Antonio Bryant is off to a good start, proving his toughness to new coach Bill Parcells. Bryant was injured Saturday morning in the first workout in San Antonio and returned to Dallas after the second session that afternoon. Sunday morning he had an operation to remove bone spurs from his left pinky finger, flew back to San Antonio and rejoined his teammates on the field.
DOLPHINS: Miami's only two unsigned rookies reluctantly agreed to four-year contracts and reported after missing five practices. Tackle Wade Smith and guard Taylor Whitley will compete for backup jobs in the offensive line.
FALCONS: Tod McBride will likely miss four to six weeks after breaking his left thumb. He was listed No. 2 at left cornerback behind Ray Buchanan. ... The former vice president of human resources has sued team owner Arthur Blank, alleging she was fired after speaking out against sexual harassment of women staffers. Carol Faubert, 53, of Alpharetta contends Blank condoned a work climate in which women employees were treated as "sex objects" and told on occasion to wear "inappropriate, skimpy attire." The team denied the allegations.
GIANTS: Sixth-round draft pick Frank Walker dislocated his right elbow during practice. Coach Jim Fassel said the cornerback might be sidelined for three weeks.
JAGUARS: Defensive lineman Larry Smith was released from a Jacksonville hospital, a day after collapsing twice on the field. He is expected to return to the team today.
SAINTS: Michael Lewis, who broke the NFL record for combined kickoff and punt return yardage last season, was hospitalized after colliding with a teammate during a drill. Although he was in some pain, the injury was not thought to be serious.
STEELERS: First-round draft pick Troy Polamalu, expected to replace Lee Flowers at strong safety, signed an $8.275-million, five-year contract.
OBITUARY: Adrian Burk, one of five quarterbacks to throw seven touchdowns in a game, died at Henderson Memorial Hospital in East Texas. He was 75. Mr. Burk played for the Eagles from 1951-56, and tied the record for touchdown passes in a game at Washington on Oct. 17, 1954. He also was part of the officiating crews for two of the NFL's most memorable games: the Immaculate Reception game between Pittsburgh and Oakland in 1972 and the longest playoff game ever between Kansas City and Miami on Christmas Day in 1971.