Former Packers running back Paul Hornung has filed a lawsuit against Riddell, a company that makes football helmets.
In the lawsuit, which obtained by the New York Times, the Hall of Famer alleges that Riddell led players to believe that the company's plastic helmets would provide protection against brain trauma.
"Prior to, during and after Paul Hornung's NFL football career, Riddell knew of the harmful long-term effects of brain traumas sustained by football players while wearing Riddell's supposed protective equipment; however, it misrepresented and concealed these facts from Paul Hornung," the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit also states that Riddell promoted its helmets as "safe," which was a known lie, according to Hornung's attorney William T. Gibbs.
"Studies dating back to the 19th century linked head trauma to permanent brain damage, but Riddell failed to communicate the danger to Mr. Hornung," Gibbs said in a statement to the Associated Press.
Hornung won the Heisman Trophy while at Notre Dame in 1956. A year later, the Packers made him the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. During his college career, Hornung wore a leather helmet, but he switched to Riddell's plastic helmets once he got to the NFL because the company claimed that they were safer, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit also states that the helmet didn't work and that Hornung suffered "numerous concussive and sub-concussive brain traumas."
The lawsuit is seeking damages of at least $50,000.
Hornung spent his entire 10-year career with the Packers (1957-66).
The running back led the NFL in scoring for three straight years (1959-61), was named MVP in 1962 and was a part of four Packers teams that would win NFL championships (1961, '62, '65, '66).
Hornung, 80, was inducted into the Pro Football hall of Fame in 1986.
