Jared Allen played professional football for the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers.
One thing he never did, according to a new lawsuit, was seek treatment at the Troy-based Pain Free Life Centers of Michigan.
Allen is suing the business for using his name and likeness in advertising, on social media and on its website without his permission. The retired NFL player said the move was part of an effort to deceive consumers — and make money.
"As a result of defendants’ acts and representations, members of the public are induced to make payments to defendants in the mistaken belief that their services are endorsed by, associated with, or affiliated with plaintiff," the lawsuit reads.
The complaint, which is against the business and its director, Jeff Morton, was filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Detroit.
A message left Monday for Morton at Pain Free Life Centers in Troy was not immediately returned.
Pain Free Life Centers uses laser therapy to treat back pain, arthritic pain, neuropathy and several other conditions, according to its website. Along with the Troy clinic, there are locations in Bloomfield Hills, Shelby Township and Brighton.
Allen, who lives in Tennessee, learned about the use of his image through a relative who was traveling in Michigan and saw it in a recent issue of SEEN magazine.
The lawsuit says the ad included Allen's "image, his personal health story, and statements secured from a news article." The headline on it said, "Broken foot healed in time for Super Bowl using laser therapy."
After Allen's attorney sent a cease and desist letter, the image of him on Pain Free Life Centers' website was removed, according to the lawsuit.
Allen is asking to be paid any profits the business obtained by using his image. He's also asking for more than $75,000 in damages.
Contact staff writer Ann Zaniewski at 313-222-6594 or azaniewski@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @AnnZaniewski.
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