Court dismisses ex-Viking Noga’s concussion claim

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court has dismissed former Vikings defensive lineman Al Noga’s claim that his dementia is related to concussions he suffered during his playing years with the NFL team.

In a unanimous decision, the high court on Wednesday threw out Noga’s workers’ compensation award. The court said the Vikings’ treatment of Noga’s headaches with over-the-counter medicines was sufficient and that his claim, filed in 2015, came too late.

Noga played for the Vikings from 1988-1992. The court said he tackled with a “headfirst style” beginning in high school and suffered from headaches even then. When Noga played in the NFL, he continued to lead with his head, something the league has since addressed.

Noga’s lawyers told the Star Tribune they are concerned about retired athletes in Minnesota who suffer slow, progressive dementia, caused by work-related concussions that happened decades ago.