Controversial issues more often than not remain just issues--that is, until notable figures get involved. This is no different infootball. 

NFL Hall of Famer Dan Marino withdrew his name from the concussion discussions earlier Tuesday morning. (Flickr/HuffPost)

Monday, it was announced that football Hall of Famer Dan Marino, considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in National Football League history, joined 14 other former football players in concussion-related lawsuit against the NFL. The lawsuit, a civil suit filed in federal court, accused the NFL of knowing, for years, that there was a link between concussions and long-term health problems.

READ MORE: SEE THE LAWSUIT HERE.

Tuesday, Marino decided to withdraw his name from the lawsuit according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. According to a source at the Sentinel, “It was never Marino’s intention to initiate litigation in this case, but to ensure that in the event he had adverse health consequences down the road, he would be covered with health benefits.” Basically, while it was Marino's intention to be covered in the same sense that the case is to cover the other athletes, he did not intend to add his name, possibly hurting his reputation with the NFL. 

Fourteen former NFL players filed the lawsuit in a federal court in Pennsylvania on May 28, joining more than 4,500 others who previously accused the NFL of misleading players about the long-term dangers of concussions. The players are asking a "jury to decide monetary damages and are seeking medical monitoring" over the settlement's 65-year lifespan.

Each player submitted a brief complaint saying how they suffer from brain injuries and exhibit symptoms that have developed over time. Marino’s initial involvement and possible complaint could have added an increased the suit's credibility, as the Hall of Famer's name wouldn’t have been as easily dismissed as some of the other players.

Why, then, would he not want to be directly attached to this lawsuit? There could be a possibility that it would jeopardize conversations Marino was having with CEO of the Miami Dolphins, Tom Garfinkel, about a position with the team, according to ESPN reporter Ed Werder. 

So, where does this leave the suit? 

The remaining players are still fighting against the negligence of the beast that is the NFL. 

Whether or not the NFL will continue to conceal comments and deflect complaints, or decides to change, is yet to be determined. (Flickr/Mike Sanchez)

The premise of the 18-page complaint is that the NFL has "concealed information about football-related brain injuries, misleading players, who may now be suffering from early dementia, moderate dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and/or death with a postmortem diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain disorder."

Claims against the NFL aren't new, though; these follow claims made in more than 300 related lawsuits. The NFL has repeatedly denied such claims and NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league had no comment on the lawsuit.

Earlier this year in a separate suit, a federal judge shot down a proposed $760 million settlement of claims arising from concussions suffered by NFL players, as she thought the settlement was not enough money.

The suit still has other Hall of Famers - such as Eric Dickerson, Tony Dorsett, Bob Little, Randy White and the estate of the late Lee Roy Selmon - to act as advocates. However, none carry as much weight as such a household name as Marino’s could have, and would have.

Contact staff reporter Durga Ghosh here.