Louisiana Judge Issues Injunction Allowing Former NFL Players to Remain Eligible for LSU Football
A state judge granted a preliminary injunction blocking the NCAA from barring former professional athletes, clearing the way for LSU to list ex-NFL players on its roster pending further court action.
A Louisiana judge issued a preliminary injunction on Thursday that prevents the NCAA from prohibiting former professional athletes from competing for Louisiana State University, potentially allowing several ex-NFL players to join the football roster. The ruling came just before LSU was required to submit its 105-player roster to the SEC, which had recently announced severe penalties for programs that field former pros.
Judge William Jorden issued the order after a nine-hour hearing in which former NFL players testified that they would have remained in college had they known another season might be available. The athletes, including former Saints defensive lineman Zxavian Harris and former Browns tight end Dae'Quan Wright, said they earned modest compensation in the NFL and would welcome a return to LSU.
The SEC commissioner, Greg Sankey, argued that the league must preserve the distinction between professional and college sports and defended the conference’s authority to enforce eligibility rules. The SEC has also filed a separate federal lawsuit in Alabama seeking to block LSU from recruiting former professionals, citing alleged violations of conference policies.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, who submitted an athlete-focused brief, described the SEC’s lawsuit as “frivolous.” She said the state will continue to protect LSU from legal challenges.
The injunction does not determine how many games the former pros may play; that issue will be resolved as the case proceeds through the courts. LSU is scheduled to open the season against Clemson on Saturday, and the newly eligible players are expected to be available for the team's upcoming game against Ole Miss on September 19.
The NCAA reports that roughly 450 athletes are pursuing additional eligibility through litigation, with about 300 already obtaining temporary permission to play. NCAA attorney Taylor Askew said the volume of cases underscores the organization’s effort to apply its rules consistently.