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NFL agrees to end race-based brain testing in $1B settlement

Brooke Vaughn, Amy Lewis, Clarence Vaughn III, Ken Jenkins
Posted at 8:21 PM, Oct 20, 2021
and last updated 2021-10-20 20:21:08-04

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The NFL has agreed to end race-based adjustments in dementia testing in the $1 billion settlement of concussion claims.

That's according to a proposed settlement filed in federal court in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Critics say the use of “race-norming” in the testing makes it difficult for Black retirees to qualify for awards that average $500,000 or more.

The proposed changes come after months of closed-door negotiations between the NFL and lawyers for thousands of retired players

About 70% of active players and more than 60% of living retirees are Black.

A federal judge must still approve the new plan.