MINNEAPOLIS -- Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Ron Heller is suing the Minnesota Vikings and their former defensive lineman Al 'Bubba' Baker for poking him in the eye during a 1988 game.
A staff member for Heller's attorney said the suit was filed Friday in Hennepin County District Court, seeking more than $50,000 in damages.
Baker, now with the Cleveland Browns, maintains the poke, which occurred during Minnesota's 23-21 victory over Philadelphia at the Metrodome on Sept. 25, 1988, was unintentional and that Heller contributed to the accident by walking into his hand. The Vikings had no comment on the suit.
Heller spent five days in a hospital, but finished the rest of the 1988 season and was a regular in 1989. But he maintains he suffered permanent injury to the left cornea.
Heller's attorney, Harry Sieben Jr. of Minneapolis, said Thursday that while ordinary negligence in a sporting event is not actionable in Minnesota, 'in this case, we believe it is a case of gross negligence -- aggravated conduct and reckless disregard of rights of another person.'
He said the Vikings are included because they were Baker's employer.
