Billy Cannon Jr. Sues Cowboys Over Career-Ending Back Injury
Former Dallas Cowboy linebacker Billy Cannon Jr. has filed a $9.6-million lawsuit against the team for a career-ending back injury he suffered during his rookie season.
Cannon filed the suit Monday in U.S. District Court at Baton Rouge, La., claiming that the injury he sustained against the New Orleans Saints in 1984 was the result of negligence by the Cowboys.
Doctors told Cannon that he risked permanent paralysis if he continued to play football, so he retired. He claims in the suit that he complained to the Cowboys before the Saints’ game of numbness in his upper body and upper extremities after making tackles.
Dr. Pat Evans, a member of the team’s medical staff, said he did not recall Cannon’s having any complaints at all before the injury.
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
