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had broken his spirit, transforming him from an upbeat and gregarious young man to someone who is now irritable and withdrawn.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.
Williams was cleared to play by NFL doctors (including those on the Raiders staff) - Just because he went out and BOUGHT one doctor to suggest he can't play doesn't make it so -
What it does make it is like someone who is looking to make a quick buck -
But hey, I was wrong about the whole Red Sox thing. And my wife will assure you that I've been wrong about plenty of other stuff before.
Small problem here - From what I remember reading Williams was CLEARED to play by NFL doctors and also cleared by the Raiders staff Doc -
So he went out and bought a Doc for this lawsuit saying he can't play -
LOL. All I'm saying is no one on this forum really knows what happened on that field 'cept someone got their bell rung. Hardly enough info to have an informed opinion.
Don't get me started...
This thread is no place for extraneous remarks based on common sense. Leave logic out of this and re-address this topic in a manner befitting a true sports fan, or switch over to politics immediately.
You may have played college football but I've been involved in hundreds of lawsuits. And I could put on a very good defense of Romo if this was just a case of gold-digging. Of course, Romo's teammates are going to be witnesses as well and they might be able to testify about what constitutes being 'cleared' to play by team doctors.
Personally, I would hope that this guy is really damaged long term and they can both get over this so they can get back to blowing all their money on Hummers and hookers and continue to help the economy recover. But I don't get to choose the facts. I just get to choose what I think about them. And I don't think I've heard anything yet about Romo that I find defensible.
Stern advice (from one who knows): do NOT become 'invested' in the Chiefs (emotionally or otherwise). They will break your heart, wallet, and quite possibly your self-esteem.
[grumble grumble]
Okay.
KILL THE BASTARDS!
Brilliant response - And for the record I did serve 82nd Airborne - 502 Bat - (after going to 4 years of college).
There is no 502 Battalion. in the 82nd. There is, however, a 502 PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment) in the 101st. Perhaps, you just mixed up your movies, MF'er.
LOL. How . . . euh . . . 'tough.'
Surely then you can point out some other examples of roid ragers sneaking up behind other players, ripping their helmets off and punching their eye sockets into their brains.
Happens all the time, right? How 'bout you google me up a few?
Clip shiny. Jet shiny.
No time, he's busy inventing the next internet...
Fine then, whatever you say.
Here I am abandoning all logic and common sense.
The 49ers will do just fine this year, even with the Yorks at the helm.
Don't you get it? The plaintiff is a "thug" (nod, wink) and is just trying to pull a fast one.
My lack of tolerance for the n00bs is expanding exponentially...
You keep referring to this as a fight. This wasn't a fight. If "romo" wasn't such a "homo", he would have squared off with Wiliams. Instead he pulled his helmet off and sucker punched him. Yeah, fights happen on the practice field but you always keep it in your head that the guy your pissed at is your teammate. What Homo did crossed the line. He didn't want to fight, he wanted to attack a teammate and do as much damage as possible to him and he did it from behind like a back jumping little f@ggot.
How intolerant of you to show a lack of tolerance.
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