DeMeco Ryans Lawsuit Settlement, $10M Turf Injury Case Resolved Confidentially in July 2021
Current Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans settled his career-ending injury lawsuit in July 2021 with Harris County, the stadium management company, and the turf manufacturer. The settlement terms remain confidential, ending a five-year legal battle over the dangerous playing surface at NRG Stadium that Ryans claimed prematurely ended his NFL career in 2014.
What Is the DeMeco Ryans Lawsuit Settlement About?
The DeMeco Ryans lawsuit settlement resolved claims that a defective playing surface at NRG Stadium caused a career-ending Achilles tendon tear. Court records show that in July 2021, Ryans reached a settlement with Harris County, the stadium management company, and the turf company, though terms of the settlement weren’t disclosed.
Ryans originally filed the lawsuit in October 2016 in Harris County District Court, seeking more than $10 million in damages. The case named multiple defendants: the Houston Texans, the NFL, Harris County Convention & Sports Corp., SMG (stadium management), and StrathAyr Turf Systems, the Australian company that manufactured the modular grass field.
The lawsuit alleged premises liability, product liability, and negligence claims. Premises liability is a legal concept that holds property owners and possessors responsible for injuries that occur on their property due to unsafe conditions.
The Career-Ending Injury That Started Everything
On November 2, 2014, Ryans suffered a catastrophic non-contact Achilles tendon tear while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles against his former team, the Houston Texans, at NRG Stadium. The injury happened when Ryans intercepted a pass and was running it back—his Achilles simply gave out mid-stride without any contact from another player.
This wasn’t Ryans’ first Achilles injury. He had previously torn his left Achilles in 2010, also at NRG Stadium. The 2014 injury to his right Achilles effectively ended his playing career. The Eagles placed him on injured reserve, released him after the season, and no other team signed him. Ryans retired at age 31 in 2016.
The Allegations Against the Defendants
The lawsuit stated that because of the playing surface at NRG Stadium on Nov. 2, 2014, Ryans suffered a torn Achilles tendon that “prematurely ended his noteworthy NFL career” and that without the injury he would have “in reasonable probability, remained in the league for another five years”.
The complaint described a severely defective field design. At the time, NRG Stadium used StrathAyr’s modular grass system—square trays of grass grown outside the stadium on a substrate of sand, peat, moss, and mesh wire, then placed onto the playing surface by forklift.
According to the lawsuit, this system created an uneven, dangerous playing surface. The lawsuit states that on Nov. 2, 2014, “there were points where the seams between the Modules intersected appeared to look like holes filled in with sand. The surface of the field was also inconsistent as some of the Modules were soft, some were firm and the Modules did not fit together well”.
Ryans alleged these conditions caused players to land awkwardly, trip, stumble, and sink into the turf, leading to severe injuries. He claimed the defendants knew about the dangerous conditions because numerous NFL players and coaches had complained about the field for years.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick famously criticized the field after wide receiver Wes Welker tore his ACL and MCL there in January 2010, calling it “terrible” and “one of the worst fields” he’d seen. Understanding how Max Verstappen lawsuit against The View demonstrates how high-profile athletes navigate complex legal claims helps contextualize Ryans’ decision to pursue litigation against powerful sports organizations.
The Legal Battle: From State Court to Arbitration
After Ryans filed his lawsuit in Texas state court, the legal proceedings became complicated. The Texans removed the case to federal court, arguing Ryans’ claims were preempted by the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and the Labor Management Relations Act.
The federal court disagreed and sent the case back to state court. The Texans then filed a motion to compel arbitration under the CBA. The Harris County District Court denied this motion, but the Texas Court of Appeals reversed that decision in August 2019.
The Court of Appeals ruled that “the CBA contains a valid arbitration agreement and Ryans’ claim falls within the agreement’s scope,” ordering the trial court to compel arbitration. Ryans appealed to the Texas Supreme Court, but ultimately settled before the highest court ruled.
Settlement Terms and Confidentiality
The July 2021 settlement resolved claims against Harris County, SMG, and StrathAyr Turf Systems. Settlement terms remain confidential, meaning the public doesn’t know how much money Ryans received or what other conditions were included.
Confidential settlements are common in premises liability and product liability cases, especially when multiple corporate defendants want to avoid public scrutiny of safety issues. The settlement likely included non-disclosure agreements preventing parties from discussing specific terms.
Notably, the settlement didn’t prevent Ryans from pursuing his coaching career. He was hired as the 49ers defensive coordinator in 2017 and later became Houston’s head coach in 2023—a remarkable full-circle moment given his lawsuit history with the organization. Understanding Gmail lawsuit claim privacy settlement procedures shows how large-scale legal resolutions often include confidentiality provisions similar to Ryans’ case.
What This Means for NFL Player Safety
The Ryans settlement had tangible impacts beyond his personal case. The Texans replaced the StrathAyr modular grass system with artificial AstroTurf in 2015, shortly after multiple player complaints and Ryans’ injury.
The case highlights important legal principles for athletes injured by unsafe playing conditions. Players can pursue premises liability claims against stadium owners and operators, product liability claims against equipment manufacturers, and negligence claims when property possessors fail to maintain safe conditions.
However, the Texans’ successful argument about CBA arbitration demonstrates how collective bargaining agreements can limit players’ ability to sue in traditional courts. The NFL CBA requires most disputes between players and teams to go through arbitration rather than jury trials.
Where to Find Reliable Information
Court records from the case are available through the Harris County District Court system (Case: Ryans v. Houston NFL Holding, et al., filed October 2016). The Texas Court of Appeals decision (Houston NFL Holding, L.P. v. DeMeco Ryans, No. 01-18-00811-CV, August 1, 2019) provides detailed legal analysis of the arbitration issues.
Major sports outlets including ESPN, CBS Sports, and NBC Sports covered the lawsuit filing, legal proceedings, and eventual settlement. The Houston Chronicle has reported extensively on Ryans’ career trajectory from player to lawsuit plaintiff to head coach.
If you’re facing a premises liability claim or sports injury case, consult with a personal injury attorney experienced in complex litigation against large organizations. Document all evidence of unsafe conditions, medical records, and witness statements immediately after any injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DeMeco Ryans lawsuit settlement about?
The DeMeco Ryans lawsuit settlement resolved his claims that a defective playing surface at NRG Stadium caused a career-ending Achilles injury in 2014. Court records show Ryans settled with Harris County, the stadium management company, and the turf manufacturer in July 2021. The settlement terms are confidential, and the amount paid remains undisclosed.
How much was the DeMeco Ryans settlement?
The settlement amount is confidential and has not been publicly disclosed. Ryans originally sought more than $10 million in damages, claiming he would have played another five years if not for the injury. Confidentiality provisions in the settlement agreement prevent parties from revealing specific financial terms.
Who was involved in the DeMeco Ryans lawsuit?
Ryans sued the Houston Texans, the NFL, Harris County Convention & Sports Corp., SMG (stadium management), and StrathAyr Turf Systems. The lawsuit named everyone potentially responsible for the dangerous field conditions. Court records indicate the settlement was reached with Harris County, the stadium management company, and the turf company, though it’s unclear if all defendants participated in the settlement.
What were the original allegations in the lawsuit?
Ryans alleged that the modular grass field at NRG Stadium was dangerously uneven, with gaps, seams, holes, and inconsistent hardness that caused players to trip, stumble, and suffer injuries. He claimed the defendants knew about these hazards because numerous players and coaches had complained for years, but they failed to fix the problems or warn players adequately.
When was the DeMeco Ryans lawsuit settled?
The lawsuit was settled in July 2021, approximately five years after Ryans filed the original complaint in October 2016. The settlement came after years of legal battles including federal court removal, state court proceedings, appellate rulings on arbitration, and a petition to the Texas Supreme Court.
Why did the case go to arbitration instead of trial?
The Texas Court of Appeals ruled in August 2019 that Ryans’ claims fell within the scope of the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, which requires arbitration rather than court trials for most disputes. The CBA is a contract between the NFL and the players’ union that governs employment terms, including how legal disputes must be resolved.
Did the settlement affect DeMeco Ryans becoming the Texans head coach?
No, the settlement didn’t prevent Ryans from becoming Houston’s head coach in 2023. Multiple sources reported that Ryans considered the Texans job his top choice despite the previous lawsuit. The Texans organization also had no reservations about hiring him, viewing the injury lawsuit as a standard legal matter rather than a personal conflict.
Last Updated: January 19, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the DeMeco Ryans lawsuit settlement and should not be considered legal advice. For specific legal guidance about premises liability, product liability, or personal injury claims, consult with a qualified attorney.
Need Legal Help? If you’ve suffered an injury due to unsafe property conditions or defective products, document everything and speak with an experienced personal injury attorney who can protect your rights and pursue fair compensation.
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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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