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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 6:42 PM, Oct 20, 2021
and last updated 2021-10-20 21:42:26-04

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 has made 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.

The NFL says the plan would provide “a race-neutral evaluation process” and "diagnostic accuracy and fairness in the concussion settlement.”

The league says it hopes Senior U.S. District Judge Anita Brody approves it promptly.