LOS ANGELES – Smokers and pro football players have something in common: They engage in risky behavior that can be potentially harmful to their health over time.

And to hear some lawyers tell it, the NFL is the equivalent of Big Tobacco.

The recent wave of lawsuits filed on behalf of retired players uses similar arguments to those made by attorneys representing smokers who sued tobacco companies more than 15 years ago – in this case, that the NFL knew repeated concussions could lead to brain damage and yet hid the information.