Mike Davis 75 yard TD Run

NFL to settle concussion lawsuits with players for $765 million

The NFL and more than 4,500 former players want to resolve concussion-related lawsuits with a $765 million settlement that would fund medical exams, concussion-related compensation and medical research, a federal judge said Thursday.

The plaintiffs include at least 10 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett. They also include Super Bowl-winning quarterback Jim McMahon and the family of Pro Bowl linebacker Junior Seau, who committed suicide last year.

Many former players with neurological conditions believe their problems stem from on-field concussions. The lawsuits accused the league of hiding known risks of concussions for decades to return players to games and protect its image.

The NFL has denied any wrongdoing and has insisted that safety has always been a top priority.

Senior U.S. District Judge Anita Brody in Philadelphia announced the proposed settlement Thursday after months of court-ordered mediation. She still must approve it at a later date.

The settlement likely means the NFL won't have to disclose internal files about what it knew, when, about concussion-linked brain problems. Lawyers had been eager to learn, for instance, about the workings of the league's Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee, which was led for more than a decade by a rheumatologist.

James Blake's career ends with first round loss at U.S. Open

American James Blake’s career ended in a fifth-set tiebreaker at the U.S. Open after he won the first two sets.

The 33-year-old American lost 6-7 (2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2) in the first round to Ivo Karlovic just after midnight Thursday morning.

Blake announced Monday that he would retire after his U.S, open run .

Blake had won 11 straight first-round matches at Flushing Meadows since losing in his debut in 1999. Blake has been ranked as high as No. 4 in the world in his career and reached three Grand Slam quarterfinals.

The NCAA and Texas A&M agree to suspend Johnny Manziel for half a game

Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M has been suspended for the first half of Saturday's season opener against the Rice Owls, according to Espn

Earlier this month, it was reported that the NCAA was looking into whether Manziel was paid for signing autographs at several locations, including in South Florida around the BCS National Championship game. It was also reported that a set of autograph dealers claimed that Manziel accepted payments to sign more than 4,000 items, including footballs and photographs, at an event in Connecticut in late January

The agreement between the NCAA and Texas A&M ends Manziel's recent issues, NCAA acknowledges Manziel did not accept money according to ESPN source.