Gregg Williams, while with the New Orleans Saints. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A former NFL player is suing the Washington football team over a career-ending knee injury that he claims was the result of a bounty system in which Washington coaches encouraged players who injured the opposition. Barrett Green, a linebacker who played six seasons for the Detroit Lions and New York Giants, is suing the Washington football team, former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, and former tight end Robert Royal, WAMU reports.

In the suit—originally filed in Maryland state court but transfered to U.S. District Court for Maryland—Green alleges that during the Giants’ Dec. 5, 2004 game against Washington, Royal carried out an “unusual, outrageous, and an obvious cheap shot.” According to Green’s suit, on that play during a third-quarter drive, Royal lined up as a receiver. When the ball was snapped, he charged toward Green for a block.

But the suit alleges that Royal used Green’s inability to see him coming as an opening to carry out a dirty hit. Green’s suit alleges that Royal lowered his helmet and aimed toward Green’s knees. Green was carted off the field after the play, while Washington was hit with a 15-yard penalty for an illegal block. Doctors later found that Green’s anterior cruciate ligament was torn, requiring season-ending surgery. He attempted to play in a few games the following season but was unable to return to full strength and was then released by the Giants. In the suit, Green argues that there was $10 million remaining on his contract.

Williams, who was the Washington football team’s defensive coordinator from 2004 to 2007, was later revealed to have run a bounty scheme during his tenure with the New Orleans Saints. He was suspended from the NFL in 2012, but reinstated in February.

Green’s suit argues that Royal, though a tight end, was coached by Williams. The suit claims that Royal also played defense and that he is credited with blocking a pass thrown by Giants quarterback Eli Manning. However, NFL statistical records show that during his two seasons with Washington, the only defensive plays Royal was ever credited with were a pair of fumble recoveries.

Green’s suit contains six counts. He is seeking at least $75,000 in compensation for each count.