Former Indianapolis Colts tight end Timothy Sherwin...

Former Indianapolis Colts tight end Timothy Sherwin has sued team doctors for malpractice, alleging that they failed to diagnose a career-ending spinal injury, according to the Schenectady (N.Y.) Gazette.

The paper said Sherwin, 32, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Albany, N.Y.

Sherwin was a fourth-round draft pick of the Colts in 1981 and went on to become a team captain two years later.

About seven years into his NFL career, Sherwin noticed a numbness in his arms and legs during practices. Sherwin’s lawsuit claims that he mentioned the problem to the Colt coaches and team doctors K. Donald Shelbourne and Arthur Rettig, who allegedly brushed him off.

He was traded to the New York Giants before the 1988 season and mentioned the numbness to doctors. Within a month, major surgery was performed on his spine and neck.