Former NFL safety Chris Maragos has been awarded millions in damages in a lawsuit. The now 36-year-old was forced to end his career after a botched knee surgery and had sued the medical team

The alleged mishandling of a serious knee injury ended safety Chris Maragos’ NFL career prematurely. Maragos, a two-time Super Bowl winner as a player for the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks, then sued the medical team responsible.

A jury has now awarded the 36-year-old a damage sum of 43.5 million US dollars. According to the verdict, the doctor in charge, Dr. James Bradley, who worked for the Pittsburgh Steelers for over 30 years, and his team had committed medical errors. The verdict can still be appealed.

Maragos suffered the knee injury in 2017 against the Carolina Panthers. Doctors diagnosed a torn ACL and performed surgery. During rehab, the condition of the knee worsened and Maragos had to hang up his football shoes.

Chris Maragos: “Ask me if I could have played “

“On Sunday, my team was in the Super Bowl and I wonder if I could have played if I had received the medical care I needed at the time. I live in constant pain and can never return to the field. I hope my case can set an example to team doctors that we players are human beings and not just contracts,” Maragos announced in a statement.

Maragos made the jump to the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2010 and also played for the Seahawks and Eagles. He has 93 tackles and one defensive touchdown in his career.