Posted on 03/07/2005 3:16:50 PM PST by SmithL
OAKLAND - Former Oakland Raider Marcus Williams has suffered "irreversible" brain damage as a result of being punched in the face in August 2003 by then-teammate Bill Romanowski, a doctor testified today.
Dr. William Mathews, who has 37 years' experience as a brain surgeon, testified in Alameda County Superior Court in Oakland as a witness for Williams in the ex-player's multimillion-dollar civil lawsuit against Romanowski.
Williams, 27, alleges his promising National Football League career when Romanowski knocked his helmet off and delivered a practice-field uppercut on Aug. 24, 2003. James Brosnahan, Williams' lead attorney, said the punch broke Williams' eye socket and caused brain trauma, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Mathews, who is affiliated with several Bay Area hospitals including John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek and Mount Diablo Medical Center in Concord, testified today about his observations of the effects of the blow.
"Overall, I think that Marcus Williams has a traumatic injury to his brain that in some aspects is irreversible," Mathews testified.
The surgeon said the injury has manifested itself in changes in Williams' personality and has also affected his intellect, speech, memory, vision and balance. Some of those changes, the doctor testified, are "probably irreversible."
Several of Williams' family members, including his mother and grandmother, testified last week in the civil trial that the punch had broken his spirit, transforming him from an upbeat and gregarious young man to someone who is now irritable and withdrawn.
Romanowski's attorney have rejected that notion that the punch resulted in any serious injuries and have characterized Williams as a marginal player now looking for an illegitimate payday.
Mathews is expected to continue testifying this afternoon.
Yes, but given that it was T.O., I think we can cut him some slack......
He wasn't always a psycho, so he probably acts like he remember he once was.
You let me know when you figure out how to fake a crushed eye socket, and I might take your silly comment seriously.
When did he become a psycho, in your opinion? Just curious.
I don't know. His career has not concerned me so much as to follow him.
Probably some time after the steroid abuse started.
I'm about as opposed to frivolous lawsuits as one can be; but I have no problem with somebody suing the jackass that sucker-punched his eye and brain out of orbit.
This wasn't Romanowski's first cheap blow, he's notorious for it. Football would be better without him, no matter how good he is.
Ahh - the typical ridiculous exaggeration without any merit in common sense -
And exactly why we are becoming a Country in which every decision must be over viewed by lawyers and judges -
How intellectually empty of a extension to what I was saying - But again, why we are becoming a Country run by lawyers and judges (which of course you hate when it comes to small business, etc, etc).
Yet you welcome it in many other foolish aspects where it need not be -
Do I sense jock envy here?? - Think so -
Sorry bud - The reason it was pointed out about "playing football or not" - was merely to show that fights on the practice field happen all the time (especially to guys who keep chop blocking and holding) - For those to act like this is some amazing occurrence .....have simply never played football at a competitive level -
You don't know what you are talking about - Period.
How often do we hear the "but" factor when it comes to suing and lawsuits - That is exactly why we are becoming a Nation in which nothing can be done without a lawyers backing or a judges decision.
These were grown men on a football field. A simple fight taking place does not belong in the Court room. Simple as that.
Do you have information to suggest Romanowski was first attacked by Williams and he acted in self-defense? If not, your remarks are ridiculous beyond words. Romanowski must pay - and not just monetarily. He belongs in jail if the information in this article is correct.
To some extent - yeah (especially when you have helped provoke the situation) -
And on another extent - You are da*n thankful to have exactly these type men out on the tip of the spear with regard to the front lines of the WOT - It is exactly these type men who (not wimps) who are fighting and winning our WOT -
These type men don't come out of wimps who sue simply over a fight on a practice field. Two completely different animals - and because of them you sleep better at night whether you like to admit it or not.
You took his remarks out of context and you know it - he was saying that this ISN'T a frivolous lawsuit.
Hey Al, tell us how you scored 4 touchdowns in one game again.
That's about as valid as comparing paper clips and supersonic jets.
ping
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