Former NFL lineman Jeremy Newberry often hobbled into the 49ers locker room on game days using a walking boot and crutches, then lined up behind as many as two dozen teammates, in his case to get a shot of the painkiller Toradol in the butt. Ten minutes later, he sprinted out of the tunnel and onto the field. The toughness of pro football players may be legendary, but a lawsuit filed Tuesday on behalf of more than 600 former players contends it was abetted by team physicians and trainers across the NFL who routinely -- and often illegally -- dispensed powerful narcotics and other controlled substances on game days to mask the pain. Among them were the painkillers Percodan, Percocet and Vicodin, anti-inflammatories such as Toradol, and sleep aids such as Ambien -- "handed out like candy at Halloween," according to lead attorney Steven SIlverman. Sometimes, the lawsuit also charges, the drugs were given in combinations as "cocktails." "The stuff works," Newberry, who played seven of his nine seasons in San Francisco before retiring in 2009, told The Associated Press in an interview. "It works like crazy. It really does." But only for so long. Newberry, now 38 and one of the eight plaintiffs so far named in the lawsuit, says that because of the drugs he took while playing, he suffers from kidney failure, high blood pressure and violent headaches. Others -- including three members of the NFL champion 1985 Chicago Bears: quarterback Jim McMahon, Hall of Fame defensive end Richard Dent and offensive lineman Keith Van Horne -- reported a range of debilitating effects, from chronic muscle and bone ailments to permanent nerve and organ damage to addiction. "Our attorneys have not seen the lawsuit," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, in Atlanta for the leagues spring meetings, "and obviously I have been in meetings all day." The lawsuits main burden is proving cause and effect -- that use of painkillers long ago is responsible for chronic problems the players face now. The claims are for a wide variety of problems that are common in older people, such as high blood pressure, knee replacements, arthritis, kidney problems, heart attacks and abnormal heart rhythms. The diversity of these problems, affecting so many different parts and body systems, tends to argue against a single cause, such as painkiller use. The players also would have to show that they are suffering these problems at a greater rate than other people their age, and that its not due to other risk factors such as obesity, smoking and family history. Six of the plaintiffs in the new lawsuit filed in federal court in San Francisco, including McMahon and Van Horne, were also parties to the concussion-related class-action lawsuit less than a year ago. The NFL agreed to pay $765 million to settle that case -- without acknowledging it concealed the risks of concussions from former players. A federal judge has yet to approve the settlement, expressing concern the amount is too small. "The difference is that the concussion case claimed the NFL knew or should have known," Silverman said. "Were saying this was intentional, putting profits ahead of players health -- and in violation of federal controlled substance laws, as well as state laws. You dont order hundreds of narcotic painkillers in their names without telling them." The lawsuit covers the years 1968-2008. Silverman said a number of clients reported teams had "tightened up" dispensing procedures since then, including one incident in which a player said a trainer waited until the team plane on a flight home was 10,000 feet in the air before handing over a narcotic "to avoid violating any state laws." McMahon and Van Horne were among several players wqho said they were never told about broken bones and fed pills to mask the pain instead. Toradol, which players called a "full-body numb-er" and "the current game-day drug of choice of the NFL" was prevalent enough that Newberry described frequently seeing both teammates and opponents during warm-ups with blood spots on the buttocks of their pants -- a telltale sign theyd taken a pre-game injection. "There was a room set up near the locker room and you got in line," said Kyle Turley, who played for three NFL teams in an eight-year career. "Obviously, we were grown adults and we had a choice. But when a team doctor is saying this will take the pain away, you trust them. Newberry said he regrets that decision now, but never considered not taking the drugs during his career because he feared hed be out of a job if he didnt play. After his retirement, a specialist who reviewed his medical records concluded the protein levels in his urine had been elevated -- a precursor to kidney problems -- for years. Newberry said he got blood work during a team-sponsored physical every year but was never told about any problems. "They said, Youre good to go, you passed another one. Youre cleared to play," he recalled. Silverman said he planned to serve the NFL with the lawsuit within the next 120 days, after which the league has 30 days to respond. The case could be significantly delayed if there are similar filings and the lawsuits are eventually consolidated into a single class-action. "We hope this gets to trial," Silverman said. "I could see a scenario where, if it were to go to discovery, there would be more doctors and trainers taking the Fifth (Amendment) than providing sworn testimony. We think the problem is that profound." Fake Jerseys .com) - Jimmy Butler made four key free throws down the stretch to lift the Chicago Bulls over the Boston Celtics, 109-102, on Friday. Fake Jerseys For Sale . PAUL, Minn. https://www.fakejerseys.us.com/. Los Angeles announced its new deal for Kupchak late in the fourth quarter of a 145-130 loss to the Houston Rockets. Kupchak had one year left on his current contract. Fake NBA Jerseys . Blown save in the ninth inning? No problem. Fake Baseball Jerseys . Cammalleri suffered a concussion in the Flames 2-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. The 31-year-old forward did not travel with the team to Carolina.The Montreal Alouettes embark on a new season with a new man at the helm. With Marc Trestman gone to Chicago in the NFL, Dan Hawkins is now the face of the winningest franchise in the CFL over the last decade. Will Dan Hawkins be as successful as Marc Trestman? That is the biggest question heading into the 2013 season for the Alouettes. In five seasons Trestman appeared in three Grey Cups and won two, plus picked up a coach of the year award along the way. Hawkins comes to Montreal as a freshman to the Canadian game. Hell have to go through all the growing pains Trestman did his first few years in Montreal while answering all the tough questions in the CFL game: Should I concede a safety? Should I kick it away with a minute and a half left? Do I go for it in our own half on third and two? When do I kick it out of the end zone? Do I attempt a 52 yard field goal? Not the easiest answers north of the border. How will Hawkins energetic style be received by a veteran offensive core after five years of the mild mannered Trestman? We all remember Hawkins introductory press conference in Montreal with 102 people at the head table. Here are a few quotes to remind you: "God forbid if I drop dead of a heart attack, Jim would have a number of options to go to on this staff." – On his Staff"You start rattling down these situations that are happening, youre going, can you explain that again, they did what? But thats part of the fun of it." – On the CFL rules"You get nowhere by playing it safe, you get nowhere by not taking any risks." – On his coaching style Dan Hawkins seems like a fun guy, but he has yet to coach a game. The one hard truth about coming to Montreal is thaat wins matter, wins affect the bottom line.dddddddddddd Even in a year in which Montreal won the East Division in 2012 they did not sell out. There will be pressure to perform right away, not only to sell seats but father time will at some point catch up with Anthony Calvillo. Did someone say Anthony Calvillo? Hes a question all by himself. There is nothing to question about his talent, the only question is time. How much longer will the man they call "A.C." be at the helm of the Alouettes? He is the most important player on this team by far and his play can be directly linked to wins and losses. The Als cut QB Quinton Porter in training camp, leaving only little used Josh Neiswander and CFL Rookie Tanner Marsh as his back-ups. Calvillo will have success this season on the field; the key is keeping him on the field. Who will be the Alouettes running back? To me, I think its Brandon Whitakers position to lose, but the competition for playing time has already begun. Jerome Messam (hamstring) and Whitaker (knee) are already on the one-game injured list, meaning Chris Jennings has the first crack in week one. Who will it be in Week 9? Week 19? Jim Popp who joined Mitch Gallo and I on the Als This Week said he expected Whitaker back in Week 2 and Messam by Week 3 or 4. Do we dare start asking questions about the defence? - Can rookie safety Mike Edem play consistently enough to retain the starters role?- Is Kyries Hebert really a linebacker?- Who else will sack the quarterback other than John Bowman?- Will veterans DBs Geoff Tisdale and Byron Parker be able to keep pace with the leagues quickest receivers? We may have to save that for another post. Welcome to the 2013 CFL season. ' ' '