Days after an Illinois high school student died from football injuries, a Cook County judge has dismissed a lawsuit alleging the sports' governing body didn't do enough to protect athletes.
There have been lawsuits against the NFL, but the one brought against the Illinois High School Association last year was the first class action suit against a prep sports governing body.
A former South Elgin High School lineman says he suffers from memory loss after getting concussions in games; he alleges the IHSA fails to protect athletes. The suit called for remedies, like a requirement that doctors or other medical staff be at every football game.
In dismissing the case, the judge says it was clear that the IHSA has "acted to protect student athletes in Illinois. That's echoed by IHSA Director Marty Hickman.
"We've limited contact in practices. We've eliminated full contact in the summer.”
The suit's dismissal comes after a Chicago high school senior, Andre Smith, became the 7th football player in the U.S. to die this season.
