WASHINGTON -- Opening another legal attack on the NFL over the long-term health of its athletes, a group of retired players accused the league in a lawsuit Tuesday of cynically supplying them with powerful painkillers and other drugs that kept them in the game but led to serious complications later in life. The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages on behalf of more than 500 ex-athletes, charges the NFL with putting profits ahead of players health. To speed injured athletes return to the field, team doctors and trainers dispensed drugs illegally, without obtaining prescriptions or warning of the possible side effects, the plaintiffs contend. Some football players said they were never told they had broken bones and were instead fed pills to mask the pain. One said that instead of surgery, he was given anti-inflammatory drugs and excused from practices so he could play in games. Others said that after years of free pills from the NFL, they retired addicted to painkillers. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy, in Atlanta for the leagues spring meetings, said: "We have not seen the lawsuit, and our attorneys have not had an opportunity to review it." The case comes less than a year after the NFL agreed to pay $765 million to settle lawsuits from thousands of retired players who accused it of concealing the risks of concussions. A federal judge has yet to approve the settlement, expressing concern the amount is too small. The athletes in the concussion case blamed dementia and other health problems on the bone-crushing hits that helped lift pro football to new heights of popularity. The new lawsuit was filed in federal court in San Francisco and names eight players as plaintiffs, including three members of the NFL champion 1985 Chicago Bears: quarterback Jim McMahon, Hall of Fame defensive end Richard Dent and offensive lineman Keith Van Horne. More than 500 other former players have signed on, according to lawyers, who are seeking class-action status for the case. Six of the plaintiffs also took part in the concussion-related litigation, including McMahon and Van Horne. "The NFL knew of the debilitating effects of these drugs on all of its players and callously ignored the players long-term health in its obsession to return them to play," said Steven Silverman, an attorney for the players. As a result of masking their pain with drugs, players developed heart, lung and nerve ailments; kidney failure; and chronic injuries to muscles, bones and ligaments, the lawsuit alleges. According to the lawsuit, players were routinely given drugs that included narcotic painkillers Percodan, Percocet and Vicodin, anti-inflammatories such as Toradol, and sleep aids such as Ambien. Toradol, which can be injected, was described as "the current game-day drug of choice of the NFL." The medication may raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure or intestinal bleeding. After receiving numbing injections and pills before kickoff, players got more drugs and sleep aids after games, "to be washed down by beer," the lawsuit says. Kyle Turley, who played for three teams in his eight-year career, said drugs were "handed out to us like candy." "There was a room set up near the locker room and you got in line," Turley said. "Obviously, we were grown adults and we had a choice. But when a team doctor is saying this will take the pain away, you trust them." McMahon said he suffered a broken neck and ankle during his career, but instead of sitting out, he received medication and was pushed back onto the field. Team doctors and trainers never told him about the injuries, according to the lawsuit. McMahon also became addicted to painkillers, at one point taking more than 100 Percocet pills per month, even in the off-season, the lawsuit says. Van Horne played an entire season on a broken leg and wasnt told about the injury for five years, "during which time he was fed a constant diet of pills to deal with the pain," according to the lawsuit. Former offensive lineman Jeremy Newberry retired in 2009 and said that because of the drugs he took while playing, he suffers from kidney failure, high blood pressure and violent headaches. On game days, Newberry said, he and up to 25 of his San Francisco 49ers teammates would retreat to the locker room to receive Toradol injections in the buttocks 10 minutes before kickoff. The drug numbed the pain almost instantaneously. "The stuff works. It works like crazy. It really does. There were whole seasons when I was in a walking boot and crutches," Newberry said in an interview. "I would literally crutch into the facility and sprint out of the tunnel to go play." Newberry said he never considered not taking the drugs because he knew hed be out of a job if he didnt play hurt, and the only side effect he was warned about was bruising. He said he could tell which players on the opposing team had used Toradol because of the bloodstains on their pants. After he retired, Newberry said, he saw a specialist who reviewed his medical records and found that for years, the protein levels in his urine had been elevated, a precursor to kidney problems. Newberry said he got blood work during a team-sponsored physical every year but was never told about any problems. "They said, Youre good to go, you passed another one. Youre cleared to play," Newberry said. Associated Press sports writers Barry Wilner in Atlanta and Larry Lage in Detroit contributed to this report. Buy NHL Jerseys 2020 . Watching them over the past year - and in some cases, two years - has given us a starting point for this seasons Craigs List. Fake NHL Jerseys 2020 . Numbers Game looks into the Wild getting Matt Moulson from Buffalo. The Wild Get: LW Matt Moulson and LW Cody McCormick. https://www.nhljerseys2020.com/ . Robert Griffin III, the No. 2 pick in the 2012 draft, set numerous rookie records and was picked AP Offensive Rookie of the Year for the Washington Redskins. Wholesale NHL Jerseys 2020 .Y. -- Cory Schneider has to make the most of his opportunities to guard the New Jersey Devils net to earn more playing time. Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic . "It feels good, Ive never had one before, not even in College," Hagelin said after the Rangers outgunned the Jets 4-2, behind some solid goaltending from Henrik Lundqvist following a pretty wide open first period.Red Bulls Daniel Ricciardo has spoken of his frustration at not having anything close to a world title in Formula 1, after losing a second likely race victory in a row at the Monaco GP. The Australian, recognised as one of the sports most affable and talented drivers, cast a downbeat figure in the grand prixs aftermath after his hopes of winning F1s showpiece race for the first time unravelled when Red Bull botched his final pit stop.Ricciardo claimed his first career pole in Monaco, but has not won since three breakthrough victories in 2014. Sundays second-place finish was also just his third podium in the last 27 races. And, five years after making his F1 debut, Ricciardo feels he should have more to show for his career to date.Ive had my head held high all season, he told Sky Sports News HQ.Part of the frustrating thing is that I really do believe, and Ive believed it for a long time - I dont want to say it because its arrogant - but I believe a lot in my ability, lets just say that. And I should be getting more rewarded. Red Bull didnt have the tyres ready for Daniel Ricciardos second pit stop, allowing Lewis Hamilton to take the lead of the Monaco GP Im 27 very soon and I dont even have anything close to a world title and I believe I should have something like that very soon. Two weeks now, it could have been two wins and its not. Its getting a little bit long in the tooth.Although still regarded as a rising star of the sport, Ricciardo turns 27 on July 1 and is fast approaching 100 grands prix starts since his debut for now-defunct HRT in 2011. Daniel Ricciardos F1 stats Starts 94 Debut 2011 British GP (HRT, 19th) Wins 3 Poles 1 Podiums 11 Front-row starts 5 Fastest laps 5 Points versus team-mate 426 v 337 Championship best 3rd (2014) His Red Bull contract is thought to run to 2018, although speculation over the past year has suggested Ricciardo will be high on Ferraris shopping list when Kimi Raikkonen eventually leaves the team.ddddddddddddAfter a troubled 2015 when Ricciardo only twice made the podium, Red Bull have staged a renaissance this season, although it was new 18-year-old team-mate Max Verstappen who ended their victory drought at Barcelona.And the pain of losing out in Monaco for Ricciardo has been heightened by the fact he knows the team are not yet ready to take on Mercedes on every type of circuit. Red Bull Motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko believes his team handed the Monaco GP to Mercedes I think I took Barcelona on the chin and then took it well but two in a row now, and its not like were in Mercedes position, were not able to win a race, so to have an opportunity to lead two races in a row and especially here in Monaco… he said in the post-race press conference.The F1 Gossip ColumnObviously a big part of it is relying on the team and the strategy but yeah, to get it wrong twice now it definitely hurts. Im not sure where to go from here, what to do. Obviously theyve got to understand whats going on and learn from it but this win Ill never get back, thats a fact. Also See: Ricciardo screwed by Red Bull Monaco GP driver ratings Get advance British GP tickets! Watch F1 on NOW TV ' ' '
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