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'Blazing Saddles' Star

Sues NFL -- I Have Dementia

4/12/2012 4:40 PM PDT BY TMZ STAFF
breaking news

Former Detroit Lions star Alex Karras
Former Detroit Lions star Alex Karras -- the guy who played Mongo in "Blazing Saddles" -- says he now suffers from dementia ... and blames the NFL for not properly protecting him from concussions during his playing days.

Karras -- who also starred in "Webster" -- has joined hundreds of ex-NFL players in a lawsuit that seeks medical monitoring, cognitive health benefits as well as financial compensation for the damage he suffered as a result of brain injuries.

Karras' wife has released a statement saying, "Alex suffers from dementia but still enjoys many things, including watching football. But dementia prevents him from doing everyday activities such as driving, cooking, sports fishing, reading books and going to big events or traveling."


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"Mongo like candy."

701 days ago


Mongo only pawn...in game of life.

701 days ago


Should of saved some of those millions you made. Why do you think the NFL pays so much money to play!
You knew the risk of injuries when you signed up.

701 days ago


Waaaaaaaaaaaahhh! Didn't you learn anything in middle/high school anatomy 101 that when the brain comes in contact with blunt forces that there may be some repercussions? Or should I say "reconcussions?" Anyhoo, loved you in Webster buddy.

701 days ago


Grow up, football is dangerous. **** happens when you engage in brutal sports.

701 days ago

charlei harper    

candy gram for mongo...candy gram for mongo...mongo not like that...mongo straight...where are all the white women...I'd like to give you a laurel and hardy handshake...hi ya boys, did ya miss last night...I'd didn't get a harumphhh out of you...work work work...it's hedley, not heddy...mongo like candy...is it true what they about balc men...it's true, it's true...lillie von shtoop, the titanic titwillow, face it, everything below the waste is kaput...

701 days ago

Grouchy Smurf    

Hmmm... I don't seem to recall him playing without a helmet. If his team provided him with a helmet (and we know that they did) then they provided him with all of the known protective gear available to minimize brain damage while participating in what is a dangerous sport.

701 days ago


Well you probably played through high school and college so I guess you'll be suing them next, huh?

701 days ago


Everybody Alex's age gets dementia. It's not the NFL's fault. Baseless lawsuits like this is what's ruining America.



701 days ago


Dude is 76 years old. Not really a surprise he has dementia. Sad, but not a surprise. I expect to get it if I live to be 76 and I never played football.

701 days ago


NFL pays big bucks to its players and it's up to them to invest and spend wisely so they won't be in dire need after retirement. That said, I do think they should continue medical care which is expensive and with concussion history of the players makes it difficult to obtain insurance.

He's the same age as my grandmother. She has trouble reading, writing, cooking (bless her, she still tries and we all smile and choke it down), she has no grasp of technology so cant shop alone, she can't steer a shopping cart much less a car, and she has visions which may or may not be beginning stages of dementia. She's never played football or had a concussion in her life. You can't always blame others for something that could just be part of the aging process.

701 days ago


Mongo was funny as he!! in "Blazing Saddles"

701 days ago


A good start would be for him to return all the money and possessions he obtained while choosing to play such a violent sport.....right.

701 days ago


Dementia isn't anything out of the ordinary or new. It is normal for old people to get it. Even the Alzheimer's type of dementia. It just seems like an epidemic and a lot more prevalent now because people are living a lot longer, hence more people with dementia. Obviously, not all old people get it, but it is a normal part of aging for many. The real tragedy is when people get it young, like in their 40's and 50's. There is a great book called The Alzheimer's Myth that is a must read for anyone dealing with dementia or family members. Don't be thrown off by the title. The author isn't claiming dementia doesn't exist. What he means is that it is a myth that it is some kind terrible thing that shouldn't be happening to people, blah, blah, etc. People have been made to be scared to death of this disease and view it as absolutely mortifying. And what that does is rob these people of the dignity, self value, and peace they deserve as they experience the elderly aging process.

701 days ago


Well, I'm shocked, but only because I thought Karras died 20 years ago.

701 days ago

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