The NFL has recently come under fire for its use of race-norming, a controversial practice that assumes Black players have lower cognitive functioning than their white counterparts. The league has now agreed to end the use of race-norming in the settlement of brain injury claims, responding to criticism from former players and a lawsuit filed by ex-players alleging discrimination.
Race-norming has been used to adjust cognitive test scores for years in the context of brain injury claims. However, its use has come under scrutiny as some experts have argued that it perpetuates systemic racism in medicine. The practice originated in the early 1990s, as a way to adjust test scores for African American players who were thought to have lower cognitive functioning than white players due to socioeconomic factors and cultural differences.
Critics of race-norming argue that the practice is based on flawed assumptions about the intelligence of Black people and perpetuates systemic racism in medicine. They say that it has led to Black players receiving lesser compensation for brain injuries sustained on the field.
In response to the controversy, the NFL agreed to end race-norming in the settlement of brain injury claims and offer a review of past claims. The change comes after a lawsuit filed on behalf of retired Black players, which alleged that the practice led to the denial of valid claims for compensation for brain injuries.
The end of race-norming is a positive step forward, and it is expected to have a significant impact on future claims. However, there is still work to be done to address the issue of systemic racism in medicine and the ongoing racial disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of brain injuries.
The NFL’s decision to end race-norming is an important step forward in the fight against systemic racism in medicine. It is a step towards ensuring that all players, regardless of race, are compensated fairly for injuries sustained on the field. However, there is still much work to be done to address the root causes of racism in medicine and to ensure that Black players receive equitable care both on and off the field.
