COLUMBIA, S.C. —

A South Carolina jury awarded $18M to a former college football player and his wife, finding the NCAA negligent in failing to warn about concussion risks.

Following a civil trial that wrapped up late last week, Orangeburg County jurors awarded $10 million to 68-year-old Robert Geathers, who played at South Carolina State University from 1977 to 1980 as a defensive end. His wife, Debra, was awarded $8 million, according to a court document.

A physician diagnosed Robert Geathers with dementia several years ago, The Times and Democrat newspaper in Orangeburg reported. Now he has trouble with day-to-day tasks such as dressing himself and helping making meals.

Other physicians who testified at the trial said Geathers displays symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy,

See Full Page