SAN FRANCISCO A federal jury on Monday ordered the NFL Players Association to pay $28.1 million to retired players after finding the union failed to properly market their images.
The figure includes $21 million in punitive damages, just short of the $21.9 million award the players' lawyer had asked of the jury to reflect roughly 10 percent of the union's net worth at the start of the year.
A union lawyer had urged the jury to award a far lesser amount so as not to damage the union's ability to represent its members.
Hall of Fame cornerback Herb Adderley filed the lawsuit last year on behalf of 2,056 retired players who contend the union failed to actively pursue marketing deals on their behalf with video games, trading cards and others sports products.
Adderley, 69, played cornerback for the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys and appeared in four of the first six Super Bowls.
elsewhere
BALTIMORE: Former Ravens receiver Javin Hunter was sentenced to six months in jail for a fatal hit-and-run accident last year.
The Harford County State's Attorney's office said Hunter was given five years with all but six months suspended. Hunter pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the accident.
Ellis George Spencer Jr., 53, was struck from behind while riding a scooter and died several hours later, state police said at the time.
CINCINNATI: Quarterback Carson Palmer will miss his fifth game because of an injured elbow. Ryan Fitzpatrick will start in his place against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Palmer hurt the elbow during a 26-23 overtime loss to the Giants in the third week of the season and played in only one more game.
JACKSONVILLE: Tyrone Romaro Hartsfield, charged with shooting Jaguars offensive lineman Richard Collier 14 times, has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Hartsfield, 32, was charged in the Sept. 2 shooting that left Collier paralyzed from the waist down and resulted in the amputation of his left leg.
KANSAS CITY: A Kansas woman filed a lawsuit against running back Larry Johnson a month after claiming he spit a drink in her face at a bar and threatened to kill her and her boyfriend.
The lawsuit, filed by Ashley N. Stewart, 24, accuses the two-time Pro Bowler of negligence, assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
NEW ORLEANS: Cornerback Mike McKenzie's fractured right kneecap will keep him out for the rest of the season.
Saints head coach Sean Payton said that McKenzie will have surgery this week and be placed on injured reserve.
The Saints claimed recently released Washington cornerback Leigh Torrence.
NEW YORK JETS: Ty Law is back – just in time to play against the New England Patriots.
The five-time Pro Bowl cornerback agreed to a one-year deal after sitting out the first 10 weeks as a free agent.
SEATTLE: Matt Hasselbeck will make his first start in six weeks, at home Sunday against the first-place Arizona Cardinals.
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