Ruling could come soon in landmark lawsuit between NCAA, man over his development of ALS

A local firefighter is suing the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

He claims playing college football caused his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Closing arguments in the historic trial came to an end Wednesday.

After three weeks of testimony, the jury must now decide whether repeated head injuries caused his paralyzing, terminal illness.

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It’s a big case filed against the NCAA by former University of California football player and Pittsburgh firefighter Matt Onyshko, who claims his football head trauma caused him to develop the neurodegenerative disease.

He is now paralyzed and cannot speak.

Onyshko played football for Cal U from 1999-2003 and testified at his trial that during his football days, he never even knew what a concussion was.

In closing arguments, his lawyers argued that the NCAA has known for decades about the risks of neurodegenerative disease and ignored the warnings, hid the dangers and never educated the players.

Both sides talked about the NCAA's medical handbook given to players.

His lawyers said there wasn't a single word about head trauma or concussions and that they want to see that changed.

They want future football players to know the risks when they make the choice to play.

The lawyers for the NCAA said in closing arguments:

"No question this family has had a tragedy, but they're blaming NCAA for an illness, not an injury. NCAA didn't cause it ... football doesn't cause ALS."

NCAA lawyers also disputed claims that doctors say head injury is a risk factor for ALS, saying in court:

"Don't you think the public would want to know if playing football or soccer is a cause or a risk factor of ALS? It's not on any website because there is no consensus. It would be irresponsible to reach that judgment when the medical and science community has not."

Onyshko's diagnosis is terminal.

Part of what the jury has to decide is a price tag on damages. His lawyers finished their argument by saying it's up to jurors to decide what is fair for pain and suffering and for not being able to hold his daughters, dance with them or walk them down the aisle.

Cox Media Group