A federal judge has ruled that the wrongful death lawsuit against the NFL and South Carolina State University, involving the father of late NFL player Phillip Adams, will return to a state court. The judge's decision came on Monday, determining that the lawsuit did not belong in the federal system, effectively granting Alonzo Adams' motion to remand the case to Orangeburg County. This information comes from a report by WCNC, a local news outlet.
The lawsuit itself stems from a tragic incident where Phillip Adams, a former NFL player, was accused of killing six people in Rock Hill. Among the victims were two HVAC contractors, James Lewis and Robert Shook; Lewis died on the scene. A diagnosis of Stage Two Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) was made posthumously during an autopsy, as QCNews reported. CTE is a condition often linked with repeated head injuries, which can include concussions, and is prevalent among football players.
The case was originally filed in 2023 and aimed to hold the NFL and SC State accountable for the wrongful death of those killed by Adams. Following the federal judge's recent decision, the lawsuit will proceed in the state's jurisdiction. The NFL and SC State had previously attempted to dismiss the case; however, the judge declared their motions to dismiss "unfounded." This information was gathered from Athlon Sports, who reported on the progression of the lawsuit.
With the case to now move forward in state court, the legal proceedings could provide a closer examination of the impact of contact sports on athletes' mental health and the potential consequences of repeated head trauma. The representation for Alonzo Adams and other plaintiffs involved have yet to publicly comment on the judge's latest ruling. However, the decision represents a significant step for the Adams family in their pursuit of accountability and understanding in the aftermath of a profound personal and public tragedy.
