National Football League

Report: Rypien suffers from memory loss

Published Mar. 29, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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Former Redskins quarterback Mark Rypien suffers from persistent memory loss and struggles with tasks that used to be routine, The Washington Times reported.

The 49-year-old is the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against the NFL from more than 100 ex-players, who argue the league was aware of the dangers of concussions and concealed the information from players for many years.

Rypien was diagnosed with four or five concussions over his 15-year career, but estimates there were up to 20 other hits that left him feeling "not in my right state."

Now, the Super Bowl XXVI MVP and two-time Pro Bowler says he cannot remember things that happened in college at Washington State or at other times in his NFL career.

"It got to a point where it made me concerned and now I'm thinking, 'Gosh, what do the next 10 years look like?' Then you become a little bit scared."

Rypien volunteers with a high school team near his home in Spokane, Wash., but said teaching the basics of football has become difficult.

"I was kind of a brainiac when it came to the game," Rypien said. "The X's and O's came easily to me. I really have to struggle now ... It seems like I'm learning the game again which once came so easily."

Rypien's cousin, former Vancouver Canucks forward Rick Rypien, committed suicide last year. He had also suffered head injuries in his career as an enforcer and struggled with depression.

The lawsuit by Rypien is one of dozens that the NFL now faces while trying to make the game safer for current players. The NFL has denied ever concealing information about concussions.