The Indiana Court of Appeals heard arguments Tuesday in a wrongful death case that could shape how far the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s responsibility extends to former college athletes who later develop degenerative brain disease.

The estate of Christopher Riggs, a former Texas A&M football player who died in 2020 and was later diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, contends that the Indianapolis-based NCAA failed to warn athletes of known risks tied to repetitive head impacts.

Riggs played football for Texas A&M from 1965 to 1968.

The Marion Superior Court granted summary judgment for the NCAA in January, finding the association owed Riggs no “duty of care.” His family is now asking the appellate court to overturn that ruling.

The three-judge panel —

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