PITTSBURGH — The father of a deceased college football player is suing the National Collegiate Athletic Association, alleging that the NCAA breached its duty to protect the safety of its student-athletes.
James Morsillo, administrator of the estate of Mitchell Morsillo, filed a complaint May 7 in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.
According to the complaint, Mitchell Morsillo was a student at Ohio University and played intercollegiate football as an offensive fullback between 2005 and 2007. During that time, the plaintiff said Mitchell Morsillo sustained numerous repeated blows to the head during practices and games, causing severe depression, forgetfulness, headaches and irritability.
On July 27, 2017, Mitchell Morsillo died as a result of drug toxicity. The plaintiff claims the NCAA is responsible for his son's death because it allegedly failed to implement effective measures to protect athletes from the long-term effects of concussions and sub-concussive blows to the head while playing collegiate football.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensatory damages in excess of the compulsory arbitration amount set by the court the court, as well as all other just and proper relief. He is represented by Jason Luckasevic of Goldberg, Persky & White PC in Pittsburgh.