Former Michigan State football standout Malik McDowell has been sued by the Seattle Seahawks. The lawsuit alleges that McDowell is in breach of his contract after failing to repay the signing bonus he was given when he was drafted by the Seahawks in the 2017 NFL draft. Despite being a highly-touted prospect, McDowell has yet to play a single down in the NFL because of an injury he suffered the following July, riding an all-terrain vehicle.

In the immediate aftermath of the accident, Yahoo Sports reported his injuries as “extensive brain and eye trauma.” But McDowell himself released a statement via Twitter, saying “my injury is not career or life threatening … you will see me back on the field in the near future.” Despite his insistence to the contrary, doctors have yet to clear McDowell to play.

It’s likely that language in his initial contract included a clause addressing risky behavior like ATV riding, which probably served as the legal foundation for the Seahawks lawsuit. The idea is that since McDowell risked substantial injury by riding the ATV, he should return the nearly $800,000 he was paid to sign with the team.

Potential Preaching Angles: Sometimes our greatest danger results from our own lack of judgment. Risky behavior may seem fun in the moment, but it can have devastating consequences.

Matt Charboneau, “Seahawks sue ex-MSU standout Malik McDowell, claim he's failed to repay signing bonus” The Detroit News (5-29-19)