Former NFL player sues the league over helmet-to-helmet injuries

BALTIMORE - A former NFL player filed a lawsuit against the league over its pension policies on helmet-to-helmet hits.  The lawsuit was filed in U.S. Federal Court in Baltimore Monday.

Eric Shelton played for the Washington Redskins and Carolina Panthers.  A helmet-to-helmet hit during a 2008 preseason game ended his career.

Since the hit, Shelton says he suffers from transient paralysis, memory loss, Parkinsonism, blurred vision and isn't able to find a job.

Shelton's attorneys say the league's pension plan originally denied Shelton benefits, saying his injuries were not football-related. 

Since then, the pension plan changed its ruling.  Shelton's attorneys say the league now wants Shelton's benefits reduced because he can work now.

The lawsuit asks the NFL pension plan to pay Shelton full disability benefits and to compensate him for benefits he should have gotten in the past.

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