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Ex-NFL player to use concussion settlement to pay back theft

Dennis Collins / Getty Images Sport / Getty

CLEVELAND - A former Cleveland Browns wide receiver who pleaded guilty to stealing over $100,000 from his charities to finance gambling debts and personal expenses promises to pay it back once he gets his part of a settlement with the National Football League.

Cleveland.com reports a court filing by Reggie Rucker's attorneys says he's awaiting an estimated $190,000 from the $1 billion settlement after a lawsuit accused the NFL of ignoring dangers of concussions. Some players covered by the settlement objected, so it could be delayed.

The federal prosecutor's spokesman wouldn't comment on Rucker's filing ahead of his sentencing next Wednesday.

Rucker's attorneys have said he endured repeated hits to his head and that such a history could explain why he stole from his nonviolence nonprofits.

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