Former USC defensive end Armond Armstead, who filed a lawsuit alleging team doctors gave him painkillers that caused a heart attack and damaged his potential as an NFL player, has reached a settlement with the university and the team doctor, lawyers confirmed Wednesday.
Armstead, 24, sued USC in Los Angeles Superior Court in August 2012, alleging that Dr. James Tibone and other USC doctors irresponsibly treated him while he played for the Trojans, requiring him to take Toradol several times without informing him of the possible side effects.
The terms of the settlement were not divulged in newly filed court papers. A court trial had been scheduled to begin Monday.
SportsPharm Pharmaceuticals sold the drug Toradol to USC, according to Armstead’s attorneys’ court papers. Armstead previously reached a $20,000 settlement with the company.
Armstead played three seasons for USC from 2008-10, starting 17 games and making 59 tackles. He was not medically cleared to play for the Trojans in 2011 because of a training incident.
Armstead played with the Grey Cup-winning Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in 2012. The Argonauts released him in January 2013, and he signed with the New England Patriots later the same month. He retired from the NFL team last July.
