When the Washington Redskins discovered that a strain of MRSA was lurking in its locker room, the team’s owner advised the trainer to remodel the locker room at any cost. The renovation of the Redskins’ locker room cost $80,000, but the owner believes it was worth the investment. MSRA is a type of infection that can be deadly, and it has a tendency to be spread through locker rooms and other close quarters.
In 2006, five of Washington’s players came down with the MRSA infection, and defensive lineman Brandon Noble almost had his leg amputated due to complications associated with treating the infection. Other teams like the St. Louis Rams have also had their own run-ins with the deadly infection.
Snyder took on a high-tech approach to improve the Redskins’ locker room and ensure that players were protected. All of the benches in the locker room were taken out and replaced with individual player stools. This way, players can no longer transfer infections on the same wooden bench in the locker room. A new ventilation system and ultraviolet lights were also installed, and the entire building was sprayed to kill any lingering germs.
As knowledge about the infection has increased throughout the league, owners who do not take steps to reduce the chances of infection may be subject to a premises liability lawsuit. Individuals who are injured because of the negligence of property owners may be able to recover damages through such a lawsuit with the help of an attorney.
Source: CT Post, “MRSA: a silent danger lurking in NFL locker rooms”, EDDIE PELLS, October 19, 2013