Story at a glance
- The NFL announced on Wednesday it would end the use of “race-norming” in the $1 billion settlement of brain injury claims.
- The practice of race-norming made it more difficult for Black former NFL players to qualify for an award by assuming Black athletes began with a lower cognitive function than white and non-Black athletes.
- The NFL said in a statement that it has formed a panel of neuropsychologists, including two female and three Black doctors, to create a new testing practice.
On Wednesday, the NFL announced it would end the use of “race-norming” in the $1 billion settlement of brain injury claims, as well as review past scores for potential race biases.
The practice of race-norming made it more difficult for Black former NFL players to qualify for an award by assuming Black athletes began with a lower cognitive function than white and non-Black athletes, making it harder to show a deficit.
The race-norming standard began in the 1990s in hopes of offering the best treatment for dementia patients, the NFL said, but has been used to determine the financial awards in NFL concussion cases.
READ MORE STORIES FROM CHANGING AMERICA
A THIRD OF KIDS AND ADOLESCENTS HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AFTER A CONCUSSION
FOLLOW-UP STUDY FINDS A SINGLE DOSE OF ONE DRUG CAN EASE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION FOR FIVE YEARS
CBD WORKS FOR PAIN ON BOTH PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL LEVELS: STUDY
THE SCIENCE OF HUGGING, AND WHY WE’RE MISSING IT SO MUCH DURING THE PANDEMIC
CHILD WAITING TIMES FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN ER UP 8 PERCENT
Prior to the announcement, two Black former players had filed a civil rights lawsuit in response to the practice, backed by the concerns of medical experts, and NFL families brought 50,000 petitions to a Philadelphia federal courthouse.
The lawsuit was dismissed. However, Senior U.S. District Judge Anita Brody then asked for a report on the practice to be produced. Black former players are hoping it includes an examination of the distribution of the close to $800 million payouts the NFL has given so far.
America is changing faster than ever! Add Changing America to your Facebook or Twitter feed to stay on top of the news.
The NFL said in a statement that it has formed a panel of neuropsychologists, including two female and three Black doctors, to create a new testing practice.
“The replacement norms will be applied prospectively and retrospectively for those players who otherwise would have qualified for an award but for the application of race-based norms,” said NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy.
According to the most recent report, more than 2,000 former NFL players have filed dementia claims, but less than 600 have actually received compensation. More than half of all former NFL players are Black.
READ MORE STORIES FROM CHANGING AMERICA
TRAFFIC-RELATED POLLUTION LINKED TO ALZHEIMER’S IN MICE: STUDY
STUDY SUGGESTS THIS GAME COULD DELAY THE PROGRESSION OF DEMENTIA
EARNING A BACHELOR’S DEGREE COULD ADD AN AVERAGE OF THREE YEARS ONTO YOUR LIFE, STUDY FINDS
4 OUT OF 10 AMERICAN DEATHS LAST YEAR COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED SAYS A NEW ANALYSIS
A LOVE LETTER TO MALE CAREGIVERS: JUSTIN BALDONI DISCUSSES THE CAREGIVING CRISIS
changing america copyright.
