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Ex-Pittsburgh Steelers running back and former NFL analyst Merril Hoge says Roundup weed killer caused him to get cancer back in 2003 … and now, he’s suing.
The 54-year-old says he first mixed and sprayed the popular weed killer all over while he was working on a farm in Idaho back in 1977.
Twenty-six years later — in Feburary 2003 — he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma … and now, he’s claiming it’s the weed killer’s fault.
In a new lawsuit obtained by TMZ Sports, Hoge says the makers of Roundup — Monsanto Company — knew an ingredient called glyphosate could potentially cause cancer … but says they failed to properly warn him of the risks.
Hoge says if he had known the chemical’s side effects … he would have used a different, less dangerous product.
Now, Hoge is suing the company for an undisclosed amount … claiming it caused him “life-threatening” cancer as well as a “diminished enjoyment of life.”
For its part, Monsanto has categorically denied its product causes cancer.
Hoge played 8 seasons in the NFL — 7 with the Steelers — from 1987 to 1994 … before head injuries forced him to retire after the ’94 season.
He totaled 3,139 rushing yards and 21 rushing TDs in his career … and became well known after his football days for becoming one of ESPN’s top analysts.