The suit claims that the league has been making payouts using an evaluation process that ‘explicitly and deliberately discriminates on the basis of race’
Junior Seau had degenerative brain disease CTE when he committed suicide, study shows/CBS News
By Louise Radnofsky and Andrew Beaton | The Wall Street Journal
A group of Black former NFL players has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the National Football League’s much-contested concussion settlement with players blocked some Black claimants from securing payouts by using an evaluation process that assumed they had lower cognitive functioning when healthy than white players.
The explosive claim against the NFL is being made by Kevin Henry of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Najeh Davenport, who played for the Green Bay Packers, Steelers and Indianapolis Colts. They are seeking to establish a class action on behalf of all Black former players.
An NFL spokesman didn’t have an immediate comment. The plan to compensate players who had cognitive decline, and the assessment criteria, were agreed to by the league and players beginning in 2013.
