Illegal Hits and Football Injuries: Legal Rights for Tennessee Athletes

Football players accept the risks of tough, physical play—but not reckless or malicious conduct. Tennessee law, following the landmark Hackbart case, allows athletes injured by illegal hits to pursue civil claims beyond league discipline. The key standard is recklessness, not simple negligence, and potential liability can extend to players, coaches, leagues, schools, equipment makers, and medical staff. Tennessee’s comparative fault system and the Governmental Tort Liability Act shape claims, especially for student-athletes. Damages may include medical bills, lost earning potential, pain and suffering, and in egregious cases, punitive damages. Bottom line: sportsmanship ends when safety rules are broken—and legal accountability begins.