SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — Former 49ers Pro Bowl center Jeremy Newberry has joined other former football stars Richard Dent, Jim McMahon and Roy Green in filing a class-action lawsuit against the National Football League alleging illegal and rampant misuse of pain-killing medications that led to debilitating injuries and long-term health problems.

The suit was also filed on behalf of “hundreds” of additional former players Tuesday in San Francisco Federal Court.

In a copy of the lawsuit obtained by KPIX 5, the players allege the misuse of pain-killing pills and injections – without a doctor’s prescription or explanation of side effects – were necessary to keep players on the field and helped turn the NFL into a billion-dollar empire.

“We have not seen the lawsuit and our attorneys have not had an opportunity to review it,” said Brian McCarthy, Vice President of Communications for the National Football League.

According to the lawsuit, “…the NFL has intentionally, recklessly, and negligently developed a culture of drug misuse, substituting players’ health for profit.” The players seek financial compensation for the long-term chronic injuries, financial losses and long-term health care for future problems they will suffer.

Newberry, who also spent a season with the Oakland Raiders, was a two-time Pro Bowl center for the San Francisco 49ers who played 11 seasons in the NFL, nine in San Francisco. He has also worked as an NFL analyst for KPIX 5 in San Francisco. After years of taking the pain-killing drug Toradol, the 38-year-old Newberry says his kidneys function at 30 percent. He says nobody ever warned him about the long-term consequences of pain killers.

“A lot of times team trainers were giving out drugs, none of them have a medical degree,” said Newberry. “Some of them aren’t even licensed and they’re handing out drugs. They’re handing out anti-inflammatory. They’re handing out pain killers. They’re handing out sleeping pills. They’re handing out this stuff all together.”

Newberry and the other former players are also seeking changes in the way the NFL distributes pain killing drugs, including Toradol, an anti-inflammatory drug that is most commonly used in emergency rooms and post-operation wards to help patients manage pain. Newberry claims Toradol was taken by “half the team” just before kick-off.

“The Toradol line was crazy,” Newberry said. “The general public wouldn’t believe. It’s almost like a cattle call when you have 20 to 25 guys standing with their pants half down, waiting in line for a doctor who’s got a hundred different syringes lined up and you walk through, they’re sticking you one at a time, you walk in and out, takes all of a couple seconds, they’ve got the needles pre-loaded and they’re shooting up half the team in some cases.”
Newberry said he wanted to be a part of the lawsuit to help promote change in the NFL culture that he says relies too heavily on forcing players to mask pain to play football.

“If I don’t voice my opinion, if I don’t stand up for what’s right, and I know that the drug culture is not right and I know that the way they administer the drugs isn’t right and I’ve got nephews that play football and I’ve got little guys that are coming up, my son, if he happens to play football, if I don’t do something to change this game and it happens to them, shame on me,” Newberry said.

The lawsuit is the second in recent years accusing the NFL of medical misconduct. In August of 2013, the league and former players reached a $765 million settlement stemming from a concussion lawsuit. Earlier this year, a U.S. District Judge rejected the initial settlement “fearing the sum may not be enough to cover injured players.”

The U.S. Patent Office ruled Wednesday that the Washington Redskins nickname is "disparaging of Native Americans" and that the team's federal trademarks for the name must be cancelled.

The 2-1 ruling comes after a campaign to change the name has gained momentum over the past year. The team doesn't immediately lose trademark protection and is allowed to retain it during an appeal.

Redskins owner Daniel Snyder has refused to change the team's name, citing tradition, but there has been growing pressure including statements in recent months from President Barack Obama, lawmakers of both parties and civil rights groups.

The decision means that the team can continue to use the Redskins name, but it would lose a significant portion of its ability to protect the financial interests connected to its use. If others printed the name on sweatshirts, apparel, or other team material, it becomes more difficult to go after groups who use it without permission.

The decision by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board is similar to one it issued in 1999. That ruling was overturned in 2003 in large part on a technicality after the courts decided that the plaintiffs were too old and should have filed their complaint soon after the Redskins registered their nickname in 1967.

The new case was launched in 2006 by a younger group of Native Americans, and was heard by the board in March of last year.

The group argued that the Redskins should lose their federal trademark protection based on a law that prohibits registered names that are disparaging, scandalous, contemptuous or disreputable. The case involves six registered trademarks that involve the use of the word Redskins, but it does not apply to the team's logo.

Suzan Shown Harjo, one of the plaintiffs who testified at last year's hearing, said she was "thrilled and delighted" with the decision. The Redskins did not immediately comment.