GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The wife of late Grand Valley State University football star Cullen Finnerty is suing the NCAA in connection to his 2013 death.
Jennifer Finnerty filed the wrongful death lawsuit Monday, saying her husband ultimately died as a result of the NCAA’s “reckless disregard for his health and safety” when he was attending the University of Toledo and GVSU.
She said the father of two, who was the winningest quarterback in NCAA all-division history, was repeatedly hit in the head during his football career, significantly increasing his risk for health problems, including the debilitating brain disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Cullen Finnerty died after disappearing during a weekend fishing trip in Lake County. His wife said while he was on the river, he became confused and anxious, calling her to tell her he was being followed by two men, and he was getting out of the water.