Former linebacker Barrett Green is suing the Washington Redskins, saying his career-ending knee injury resulted from a bounty program in which the team's coaches encouraged players to intentionally injure opponents.
Green played linebacker for the Detroit Lions and New York Giants between 2000 and 2005. According to the complaint obtained by NFL.com and NFL Network, the knee injury occurred during the New York Giants versus Washington Redskins contest on Dec. 5, 2004. Green says it was the result of an "unusual, outrageous and an obvious cheap shot."
Green returned a fumble for touchdown in the first meeting between the teams in 2004, a 20-16 win by the Giants on September 19, and says his "standout play" in that game was not forgotten by the Redskins. Green says the Redskins also were aware that he was listed on the injury report as "questionable" with a knee injury the week of the second meeting.
Green states that tight end Robert Royal, who also was cited in the lawsuit, took out his knees with an illegal crack-back block which Royal was penalized for.
Green suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and says he never regained the mobility and strength in his knee to play in the NFL. The Giants released him and he played only one game following the injury.
Gregg Williams, who was the Redskins' defensive coordinator at the time, is a defendant in the lawsuit as well. Though Royal was a tight end, he occasionally played on defense. Green claims that Royal's time on defense with Williams led to his involvement in the bounty program.
In May, Green filed the lawsuit in state court in Maryland. It has since been moved to federal court in Greenbelt, Md.
The Redskins declined to comment on the case.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
