NCAA Loses First-Ever Concussion Trial & Ordered to Pay $18M in Football Concussion Lawsuit, What the Jury Verdict Means

An Orangeburg County, South Carolina jury ordered the NCAA to pay $18 million to former college football player Robert Geathers and his wife Debra, finding the organization negligent for failing to warn about long-term concussion effects. The verdict awarded $10 million to Geathers, who played defensive end at South Carolina State University from 1977 to 1980, and $8 million to his wife. This marks the first time a jury has held the NCAA liable for individual concussion-related injuries, potentially opening the door for similar claims from thousands of former college athletes.

The NCAA has stated it disagrees with the verdict and plans to pursue post-trial motions and appeal if necessary.

What Did the Jury Decide in the NCAA Concussion Lawsuit?

The jury determined the NCAA “unreasonably increased the risk of harm of head impacts to Robert Geathers over and above the risks inherent to playing football”. More critically, jurors found the NCAA “voluntarily assumed duties to protect the health and safety of Robert Geathers” and that the NCAA “negligently breached their duties” to him.

The case number is Robert Geathers and Debra Geathers v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, No. 2019-CP-32-0, Court of Common Pleas, County of Orangeburg, South Carolina. The lawsuit was filed in 2019, and the trial concluded in late October 2025.

Verdict Breakdown:

• $10 million to Robert Geathers (compensatory damages for brain injury and dementia)
• $8 million to Debra Geathers (loss of consortium, caregiver burden)
• Total: $18 million awarded by the jury

Who Is Robert Geathers and What Are His Injuries?

Robert Geathers, now 68, played as a defensive end at South Carolina State University from 1977 to 1980. He was a third-round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills in 1981, and his brother Jumpy Geathers and three sons — Robert Jr., Clifton and Kwame — were all NFL defensive linemen.

A physician diagnosed Robert Geathers with dementia several years ago. He now struggles with day-to-day tasks such as dressing himself and helping make meals. Other physicians who testified at trial said Geathers displays symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease found in former football players who received repeated blows to their heads.

CTE can be diagnosed only posthumously, meaning definitive confirmation requires examination of brain tissue after death. However, doctors can identify symptoms consistent with CTE during life.

Key Evidence That Won the Case

Geathers’ attorney Bakari Sellers alleged the NCAA knew about concussion risks since the 1930s but didn’t tell coaches or players about those risks until later. The trial centered on what the NCAA knew and when they knew it.

Plaintiff’s Evidence:

• The plaintiff’s legal team argued that “all of the information they knew, they withheld,” with Sellers telling jurors that “their job was to keep the boys safe”
• Attorneys argued that blows Geathers took during practices and games for the historically Black school in Orangeburg caused trauma that didn’t show up until decades later
• Medical expert testimony about Geathers’ current condition and CTE symptoms
• Evidence showing the NCAA had knowledge of concussion dangers dating back decades

NCAA’s Failed Defense: NCAA trial attorney Andy Fletcher argued at trial that Robert Geathers has several health conditions that influence dementia-like symptoms. Fletcher told jurors that “there’s going to be head-hits. That’s inherent to the game. You can’t take head-hits out of football”.

NCAA spokesperson Greg Johnson said the organization maintained that South Carolina State team standards “followed the knowledge that existed at the time, and college football did not cause Mr. Geathers’ lifelong health problems”.

The jury rejected these arguments.

What This Means for Other College Athletes

This verdict represents a seismic shift in NCAA concussion liability. The NCAA has stated that it “has prevailed in every other jury trial around the country on these issues”, making this South Carolina verdict the first NCAA loss to a jury in a concussion case.

The implications are significant:

For Former Players: Unlike the NCAA’s previous class action settlement that only provided medical monitoring without financial compensation, this verdict shows individual athletes can successfully sue for damages. Former college football players diagnosed with dementia, CTE, or other brain injuries may now have a viable path to compensation.

Pending Cases: Other NCAA concussion lawsuits are pending, including Michael Hamlin and Taylor Krank Hamlin v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, filed in Darlington County, South Carolina. These plaintiffs are likely watching the Geathers verdict closely.

Legal Precedent: The jury’s findings that the NCAA voluntarily assumed safety duties and then breached them could provide a roadmap for future cases. The determination that NCAA actions “unreasonably increased” risks beyond football’s inherent dangers is particularly damaging to the organization.

How This Differs from the NCAA’s Previous Settlement

The contrast with the NCAA’s 2014 class action settlement couldn’t be starker. That $75 million settlement established a medical monitoring program and new concussion protocols but provided no money for injury settlements. The agreement established a “50-year medical monitoring program for all current and former athletes in any sport, with $70 million going toward screening for long-term brain damage and $5 million going to research”.

The pending class action settlement is limited to medical monitoring and does not preclude an individual claim for personal injuries. This is why Robert Geathers could bring his case—student-athletes can still bring individual personal or bodily injury claims and class-action claims for injuries in a single sport at a single school.

The NFL comparison is instructive. The NFL reached a tentative $765 million settlement over concussion-related brain injuries among its 18,000 retired players. In seven years since the NFL settlement opened, the league has paid out nearly $1.2 billion to more than 1,600 former players and their families. The NCAA’s medical-monitoring-only approach now looks woefully inadequate.

Will the NCAA Appeal?

The verdict can be appealed. NCAA spokesperson Greg Johnson said the organization “was prepared to pursue our rights on post-trial motions and on appeal, if necessary”.

Given the NCAA’s consistent position that it has “prevailed in every other jury trial,” an appeal is virtually certain. The organization faces enormous financial exposure if this verdict stands—with thousands of former players potentially eligible to file similar claims.

Appeal Timeline:

• Post-trial motions likely within 30 days
• Appeal to South Carolina Court of Appeals could take 12-18 months
• Potential South Carolina Supreme Court review
• Payment suspended during appeals

During the appellate process, the Geathers family will not receive payment. However, the verdict itself sends a powerful message to former college athletes nationwide.

What College Athletes Should Know

If You Played College Football: Former players experiencing memory loss, cognitive decline, depression, or other neurological symptoms should document their conditions with medical professionals. Keep records of:

• When you played and what position
• Any documented concussions during your career
• Current symptoms and diagnoses
• Medical evaluations and test results

Statute of Limitations: Different states have different rules about when the clock starts on brain injury lawsuits. Some courts have ruled that CTE is a latent injury, with the deadline to file starting when diagnosis occurs, not when the player stopped playing.

Individual vs. Class Action: You do not need to opt out of the medical monitoring class settlement to pursue individual injury claims. The settlements serve different purposes—medical monitoring for early detection versus compensation for diagnosed injuries.

The Broader Impact on College Sports

This verdict arrives as college athletics faces unprecedented scrutiny over player safety and compensation. The timing is notable:

• College athletes now receive NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) compensation
• A separate class action lawsuit resulted in settlement agreements about athlete compensation, with payments being distributed over ten years
• Increased awareness of CTE from NFL cases has heightened public concern

The $18 million figure, while substantial for an individual case, pales compared to potential aggregate exposure. If even a fraction of the estimated 100,000+ former college football players filed similar claims, the NCAA could face billions in liability.

What Happens Next

Immediate Timeline:

• NCAA files post-trial motions (30-60 days)
• Court rules on post-trial motions
• NCAA appeals to South Carolina Court of Appeals
• Appeals process (12-24 months minimum)

Broader Implications:

• Other former players evaluate filing similar lawsuits
• NCAA reassesses litigation strategy for pending cases
• Potential settlement discussions for broader resolution
• Continued policy changes to concussion protocols

After the trial, Sellers said the result provided justice: “I felt good to hug Debra Geathers. She gets to go home and tell her husband some good news”.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue the NCAA if I played college football and have brain injury symptoms?

Yes, potentially. This verdict shows individual athletes can bring personal injury claims against the NCAA for concussion-related injuries. Consult with a sports injury attorney to evaluate your specific case, considering your playing years, documented concussions, current diagnoses, and your state’s statute of limitations.

How much was Robert Geathers awarded in the NCAA concussion lawsuit?

The jury awarded Robert Geathers $10 million and his wife Debra $8 million, totaling $18 million. This represents compensatory damages for Geathers’ brain injury and dementia, plus compensation for Debra’s loss of consortium and caregiver responsibilities.

Is this the first time the NCAA lost a concussion lawsuit to a jury?

Yes. The NCAA has previously stated it “prevailed in every other jury trial around the country on these issues,” making this South Carolina verdict the first jury verdict against the NCAA in a concussion case.

What did the jury find the NCAA did wrong?

The jury determined the NCAA “unreasonably increased the risk of harm of head impacts” beyond football’s inherent risks, “voluntarily assumed duties to protect” Geathers’ health and safety, and then “negligently breached their duties” to him by failing to warn about long-term concussion effects despite knowing about the risks since the 1930s.

Will Robert Geathers get paid immediately?

No. The NCAA plans to file post-trial motions and likely appeal, which will delay payment. Appeals in similar cases can take 12-24 months or longer. The $18 million will not be paid until all appeals are exhausted unless the parties reach a settlement.

How is this different from the NCAA’s class action concussion settlement?

The previous class action settlement only provided medical monitoring and new safety protocols—no financial compensation for injuries. That settlement specifically preserved the right of individual athletes to sue for personal injuries, which is how Robert Geathers could bring this case.

Can current college athletes sue the NCAA for concussions?

Current athletes face different considerations, including mandatory arbitration clauses and the fact that injury symptoms may not manifest for years. However, if they suffer concussions under inadequate protocols, they may have future claims once symptoms develop.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you believe you have a concussion-related claim against the NCAA or a college institution, consult with a qualified sports injury attorney who can evaluate your specific circumstances.

Related Resources:

• How to Ask Your Lawyer About Your Settlement
• Questions to Ask a Lawyer When Starting a Business
• What Kind of Lawyer Do You Need to Sue a Contractor

Last Updated: October 27, 2025
Case: Robert Geathers and Debra Geathers v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, No. 2019-CP-32-0, Court of Common Pleas, Orangeburg County, South Carolina

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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