Former NFL Punter Sues NCAA Over Parkinson’s Diagnosis

Patrick O’Neill, 55, alleges that repeated head injuries while playing football at Syracuse University from 1990 to 1993 led to his Parkinson’s disease. He filed suit against the NCAA on November 2 in Manhattan Supreme Court, claiming the organization failed to protect players or inform them about the risks of head trauma.

The complaint says O’Neill was urged to keep playing after injuries and was not taken off the field for examination, rest or treatment. It also alleges the NCAA knew about risks linked to repeated head injuries, including a possible connection to Parkinson’s, but did not put adequate safeguards in place. The lawsuit says the NCAA disregarded medical recommendations to keep players with three moderate concussions out of contact sports.

After graduating, O’Neill was drafted by the New England Patriots in 1994 and later suited up for the New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears. He left the NFL in 1998 to study medicine and went on to work as an orthopedic surgeon, serving as the orthopedic surgery department’s leader at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. He now practices in Sarasota, Florida. The complaint says his disease has reduced his ability to practice.

O’Neill is bringing claims alleging carelessness, deception, deliberate concealment and loss of services, and is seeking unspecified damages. The NCAA and Syracuse University offered no response, while O’Neill and his lawyer had not provided comment.