JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell became a player Tuesday in a drama unfolding in a Duval County courtroom this week.
It's a closely watched lawsuit of former Jaguars lineman Jeff Novak against a former team physician and the orthopedic group for which he worked.
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Novak -- an offensive lineman selected by the Jaguars in the expansion draft -- accuses Dr. Stephen Lucie and Jacksonville Orthopedic Institute of allowing him to return from a 1998 injury too quickly, leading to complications and the premature end of his NFL career.
Brunell testified for almost an hour in the second day of the trial.
When Brunell was asked how long he thought Novak could have continued to play football if he'd recovered from this injury, the defense objected -- and attorneys discussed the issue privately with the judge before Brunell was allowed to answer. The quarterback estimated that Novak might have played three to five more years.
Brunell also told the court that he'd never personally had a problem with Lucie's treatment.
"Jeff was a very good football player," Brunell told Channel 4's Adam Landau after left the courtroom. "It's unfortunate for Jeff, obviously, that this happened. It's unfortunate for Dr. Lucie ... but this is where we're at."
The defense said in its opening statement Monday that Lucie's treatment was "reasonable and appropriate," and that it was Novak who wanted to return to the football field quickly.
Jaguars offensive lineman Todd Fordham, Novak's roommate on road trips, is also on the list to testify in the case, which is expected to last up to two weeks. Keenan McCardell, Tony Boselli, Michael Cheever, Dan Davey and John Jurkovic gave depositions in the case and could be called to testify in the trial.
Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin and other team employees are expected to testify in Lucie's defense.
Previous Stories:
- July 9, 2002: Case Against Jaguars' Doctor Under Way
- June 12, 2002: Jaguars Lineman's Case Postponed
- June 10, 2002: Suit Against Jaguars' Team Doctor Begins
