Former NFL wide receiver David Bell has filed a lawsuit against a surgeon and multiple healthcare parties, seeking more than $300 million in damages.
The ex Cleveland Browns player, 25, and his legal team claimed the medical care he received surrounding an operation in May 2025 could have cost him his life and ended his NFL career, according to a press release issued Thursday, October 15.
Prior to 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.
JOHN SOMMERS II/UPI/Newscom/The Mega Agency
In the press release, which was first reported by The New York Times ' The Athletic, Bell said he consulted with surgeon Dr. William Meyersregarding a "core muscle repair" surgery to resolve lingering pain from the injury ahead of the 2025 season.
His legal team said the surgery was unnecessary and, when things allegedly went wrong on the operating table, it left him requiring emergency vascular treatment that was "life-saving but career ending."
It is alleged Bell's femoral artery, the main artery supplying blood to the leg, was cut during surgery. Further repair work allegedly needed to be done to save his leg.
Nathan Werksman, co-counsel for Bell, said in a statement, "What happened to David Bell, an elite NFL athlete is just plain wrong. Even worse it was totally preventable."
AARON JOSEFCZYK/UPI/Newscom/The Mega Agency
It appears that the doctors have not yet filed a formal response in court.
The lawsuit names Myers, Jefferson healthcare entities — the regional health system based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — and 14 other parties.
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. In an Instagram post, he said after consulting medical experts, he accepted that continuing to play would "literally risk life and death."
This story Ex-Cleveland Browns Receiver David Bell Files $300 Million Suit Claiming Surgery Ended His Career first appeared on First for Sports . Follow First for Sports on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.
