Former NFL wide receiver David Bell is filing a massive lawsuit against a surgeon and multiple healthcare parties, seeking more than $300 million in damages.
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Bell, a former third-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and his legal team claim that a medical operation nearly cost him his life and ended his football career.
The lawsuit alleges that 15 defendants, many of whom were connected to Jefferson Health, participated in a "financial scheme" to profit from the "unnecessary" surgery that ultimately ended his football career, NBC 10 Philadelphia reported.
"He was nearly killed by a non-indicated surgery he was duped into having. That ended his promising NFL career," the complaint says.
According to Bell's attorneys, the former NFL player underwent surgery based on "misrepresented" MRI findings. During the procedure, the former Cleveland Browns wideout suffered a significant injury that required lifesaving treatment, the lawsuit claims.
Before the medical care, Bell recorded 41 receptions for 408 yards and three touchdowns in his 32 regular-season career games.
He suffered a hip injury in September 2024, which ended his season.
Former NFL Player Files Lawsuit Over Career-Ending Surgery
In the press release, which was first reported by The New York Times' The Athletic, Bell said he consulted with surgeon Dr. William Meyers regarding a "core muscle repair" surgery. The procedure was supposed to resolve lingering pain from the injury ahead of the 2025 season.
His legal team said that the surgery was "unnecessary" and nearly cost him his life due to complications during the operation.
It is alleged Bell's femoral artery was cut during surgery. Further repair work was allegedly required to save his leg.
"We undertook a year-long investigation into this matter. In which a number of truly world-leading surgeons and radiologists examined the matter. Many of them doing so on a no-fee basis," said Brad Sohn, the plaintiff's lead attorney. "The findings were nothing short of astonishing. And gives us a high degree of confidence we can prove that hundreds of millions of dollars going to the defendants. Individually and collectively."
The statement adds that the procedure was "prioritized over the basic medical principle of First Do No Harm."
In a statement to The Athletic, a Jefferson spokesperson said, "Jefferson categorically denies these allegations. The physician who performed the procedure at issue is not employed by Jefferson. The surgery that forms the basis of the complaint was not performed at Jefferson. As acknowledged in the pleadings, Jefferson provided life-saving treatment to the patient. And will vigorously defend its care and reputation."
Bell announced his retirement from the NFL on October 14, 2025. During his announcement, he said that medical experts informed him that playing football would "literally risk life and death."
