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KANSAS CITY, Mo. Keith Hernandez Mets Jersey . -- The mother of former Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the team Tuesday after exhuming his body so that his brain could be examined for evidence of a degenerative condition linked to repeated concussions. The lawsuit, filed by Cheryl Shepherd in Jackson County (Mo.) circuit court, alleges Belcher was subjected to "repetitive head trauma," and that the Chiefs failed to provide adequate medical care before Belcher killed his girlfriend and then committed suicide last December. Shepherd is seeking a jury trial and judgment "in excess of $15,000 for actual damages, punitive damages, and/or aggravating circumstances, for the cost of this action, and for such relief as the court deems fair and reasonable." Belchers body was exhumed at a cemetery in Bay Shore, N.Y., at his familys request earlier this month so that his brain could be studied for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative neurological condition. CTE has been linked to multiple concussions and includes symptoms such as memory problems, behavioural changes and eventually dementia. CTE has made headlines in recent years with the deaths of some former professional athletes, including former Chargers linebacker Junior Seau and former Bears safety Dave Duerson. Shepherds lawsuit claims the Chiefs failed to warn her son of the short-term and long-term risks of concussions; failed to identify and remove Belcher from practice or games after sustaining head trauma; failed to educate Belcher about concussions; failed to monitor or treat Belcher for neurological dysfunction; and failed to provide appropriate counselling. According to the lawsuit, Belcher was knocked unconscious during a game against Jacksonville in 2009 but did not receive adequate treatment before returning to team activities. On Dec. 1, 2012, Belcher shot to death his girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, while Shepherd was caring for his infant daughter in a nearby room. Belcher then sped from the residence to the Chiefs training facility, where he shot himself in the head in the parking lot. A spokesman for the Chiefs told The Associated Press on Tuesday night that the team was aware of the lawsuit. He could not comment further because of the pending litigation. The Chiefs are already the subject of a workers compensation lawsuit filed on behalf of several former players who claim the Chiefs hid the risks of permanent brain injuries from repeated concussions from 1987-93, when there was no NFL collective bargaining agreement in place. In August, the NFL reached a tentative $765 million deal to settle lawsuits filed by more than 4,500 former players who developed dementia or other concussion-related health problems they say were caused by football. The settlement, subject to approval by a federal judge, would apply to all past NFL players and spouses of those who are deceased. However, several former Chiefs players found a 2005 amendment to the workers compensation statute in Missouri allowing employees to sue employers in civil court if the employees declined workers compensation. The window allowing such suits to be fired was due to expire in December. The lawsuit was originally filed on behalf of five former Chiefs players, but several others have added their names to the case, bringing to 22 the number of players involved. The lawsuit claims the Chiefs ignored decades of scientific research indicating repeated head trauma causes permanent brain damage. It also claimed the Chiefs increased their risks by giving them "ammonia inhalants, caffeine cocktails and/or (anti-inflammatory drug) Toradol to abbreviate the need for concussed employees to miss working time due to a brain injury." Players were even more prone to head injuries, the lawsuit said, because of the concrete-like AstroTurf surface that was in place until 1994 at Arrowhead Stadium. "Certainly, Hall of Famers who contributed greatly to building the franchise add to the urgency for the team to find a just resolution, rather than try to ignore it or act like they had nothing to do with it," said Ken McClain, a lawyer whose firm is representing the plaintiffs. Gary Carter Mets Jersey . And former Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson certainly knows his pain. "Its pretty hard to coach there without allowing some of these things to kind of affect you," Wilson told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun in his ESPN. Ike Davis Mets Jersey. Amid lusty boos from a modest crowd on a rainy, 46-degree night, Cano began his first game in the Bronx since joining Seattle this winter for $240 million with a wink -- at Yankees starter CC Sabathia (3-3). MONTREAL -- As soon as Impact manager Frank Klopas was handed his championship medal, he kissed it. In the midst of a tough season in Major League Soccer, Klopas and his Montreal squad were awarded the silverware after defeating Toronto FC 1-0 in the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship final on Wednesday. Montreal defended its Voyageurs Cup, taking home the trophy for the second consecutive year after winning the two-legged final 2-1 on aggregate. The win is a major victory for a squad sitting at the bottom of the league standings. "You have to seize the moment," said Klopas, who won his first trophy as an MLS coach. "This was one of our goals as a team. When its there in front of you, you cant let opportunities get away. You cant take them for granted." Because the Impact scored a crucial away goal in a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the final at BMO Field on May 28, a scoreless draw in Montreal would have been sufficient for the overall victory. And the game was scoreless heading into stoppage time before Felipes first Canadian championship goal sealed Montreals win. Felipe powered home a decisive strike to the right of TFC goalkeeper Joe Bendik minutes before the final whistle to give the Impact their third Voyageurs Cup in the competitions seven-year history. "When I get on the field, I just want to do my best and do my job and keep doing the job I did today," said the soft-spoken Felipe after the game. As a result, the Impact (2-1-1) advance to the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League and will represent Canada in the annual club competition featuring 24 teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The Impact join the New York Red Bulls and El Salvadors C.D. FAS in Group 3 of the Champions League, which gets underway in August. "Its important for us to represent Canada well," added the Brazilian-born Felipe. Montreal has now taken back-to-back Canadian championships after Toronto FC lifted the trophy four consecutive years from 2009 to 2012. Montreal won the inaugural event in 2008. Toronto (1-2-1) made it interesting late Wednesday. Needing just one goal to move on, Jonathan Osario came awfully close to the winner in the 83rd minute of play when he skipped past an Impact defender and hit the post to keeper Evan Bushs left. "We just couldnt get that goal," said TFC manager Ryan Nelsen. "Hitting the post really summed it up. We had nice periods of play, controlled the ball for most of the time, but just couldnt get that break that would have won us the tournament." Toronto has otherwise had Montreals number since the tournament launched. TFC are now 7-2-2 all-time against the Impact in the Canaadian championship. Daniel Murphy Authentic Jersey. Nelsens men came out flying from the get-go, putting instant pressure on Bush. Benefiting from winger Alvaro Reys good speed down the touchline, Toronto got several good crosses into the box in the games first 30 minutes. Star striker Jermain Defoe had a volley blocked in the fourth minute of play, and skied a free kick from an advanced position in the sixth. In the 26th, a rocket by midfielder Kyle Bekker missed the net just wide. "I played a very young team over two legs that deserved to win," said Nelsen, whose team is sixth in the league with 16 points from 10 games. "Imagine whats going to happen next year when they start to mature. This is great experience for those guys. They played against Montreals top team. Next year well be even better." The tide turned in Montreals favour at the half-hour mark, with the Impact seemingly gaining confidence from a Jack McInerney header off a corner that missed just over the bar. From there, the Impact came close to opening the score on many occasions. Two left-footed volleys from Marco Di Vaio went wide, and a Hernan Bernardello free kick forced a good save from Bendik, who sprawled to his left to stop the shot in the 43rd minute. It was Montreals only attempt on target in the first half. In the end, the clean sheet was the Impacts second in as many games. Montreal has not conceded a goal in the Canadian championship at Saputo Stadium since joining Major League Soccer three years ago. "I knew it was going to be a close game," said Klopas of the second leg. "With the quality players (Toronto) have in the final third, we just had to make sure we defended really well. Sometimes things are just meant to be." Montreal will look to build on the victory when the team returns to MLS action on June 11. With just two wins from 12 league games, the Impact are last in the Eastern Conference. "Regardless of how we started the season, things take time," said Klopas. "My group never lost faith. We stuck together as a team. Winning some games has made us even stronger." Last season, the Impact finished last in their CONCACAF group. In 2008-09, the team reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, losing 5-4 on aggregate to Mexicos Santos Laguna. Toronto FC were also beaten by Santos in the semifinals of the tournaments 2011-12 edition. "I want to wish Montreal the best in the next leg representing Canada," said Nelsen. "I hope they do really well." Notes: Acquired on Monday by Montreal, Mamadou Danso was ineligible to play in the final. a Toronto heads back to BMO Field for an MLS game with the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.cheap jerseys from china cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
