Fix to concussion settlement proposed
New formula gets rid of “race-norming” after outcry
The NFL proposed changes to the $1 billion concussion settlement on Wednesday after an outcry over test score adjustments known as “racenorming,” which make it harder for retired Black players to win dementia awards that average $500,000 or more.
The new testing formula, developed during months of closed-door negotiations with players’ lawyers, will remain secret until a federal judge reviews it. That means the 1,435 NFL retirees whose dementia claims have been denied, many or most of them Black, won’t immediately know how the changes could affect them.
They also won’t know if their prior tests will simply be rescored, or if they must endure another grueling round of cognitive testing.
“The NFL should be really enraged about the race norming. .. That should be unacceptable to them and all of their sponsors,” said Roxanne “Roxy” Gordon, whose husband, a Stanford University graduate, finds himself at 40 unable to work.
Amon Gordon has twice qualified for an advanced dementia award only to have the decision overturned for reasons that aren’t yet clear to them. His case remains on review before the federal appeals court in Philadelphia.
The NFL had agreed in June to halt the use of “race-norming,” which assumes Black players start with lower cognitive function. That makes it harder to show they suffer from a mental deficit linked to their playing days.
The binary scoring system in dementia testing — one for Black people, one for everyone else — was developed by neurologists in the 1990s as a crude way to factor in a patient’s socioeconomic background. Experts say it was never meant to be used to determine payouts in a court settlement.
Jets: Linebacker C.J. Mosley could be sidelined for the team’s game Sunday at New England after he said Wednesday he was hurt on the second-to-last play of New York’s 27-20 loss to the Falcons in London on Oct. 10.
Browns: Quarterback Baker Mayfield will sit out Thursday’s game against the Denver Broncos with a painful left shoulder injury and backup Case Keenum will start.
Eagles: Three-time Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson returned to practice after missing the past three games because of a personal matter that he revealed was related to anxiety and depression.
Broncos: Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has a new injury — to one of his thighs — in addition to the sore left foot that’s limited him at practice this week.
Seahawks: Seattle claimed quarterback Jacob Eason off waivers, adding another QB to the roster while Russell Wilson is out following finger surgery.
Washington: Released longtime kicker Dustin Hopkins and signed Chris Blewitt as his replacement.
Notes: The NFL is spending $6.2 million to help expand programs to prevent or treat problem gambling across the country. The league is launching a responsible betting initiative aimed at getting fans to set limits on their wagers, understand the risks of betting and know where to get help if things get out of hand.