214 ex-NFL players seek delay in league’s concussion settlement

Attorneys representing 214 retired NFL players filed an emergency motion late Tuesday to delay the league’s proposed concussion settlement.

The motion, filed in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, seeks to push two key deadlines into next year to provide more time for former players to review the deal.

“Unless the schedule is modified, class members will not have information they need to evaluate the settlement,” the filing by San Francisco attorney Daniel Girard and two Mississippi-based firms said.

Currently, retired players must decide whether to opt out or object to the settlement by Oct. 14. A fairness hearing is scheduled for Nov. 19.

Tuesday’s motion would move the deadline for opt-outs and objections to Jan. 12 and the fairness hearing to the week of Feb. 16. Additionally, the motion would require that papers supporting the deal be filed in November.

The motion says that retired players should be able to examine the data that led to the settlement, not just the actuarial reports supporting the deal that were released this month.

Last week, attorneys for the families of late Chicago Bears defensive back Dave Duerson and San Diego Chargers linebacker Lewis Bush asked the court to delay the Oct. 14 deadline.

U.S. District Judge Anita Brody has scheduled an Oct. 7 teleconference with attorneys to discuss the request.

Twitter: @nathanfenno