The broken promises of the NFL’s concussion settlement

The “landmark” settlement promised payouts for suffering players. But a Washington Post investigation found that strict guidelines and aggressive reviews have led to denials for hundreds of players diagnosed with dementia, including many who died with CTE.

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This week, there has been a lot of excitement about football as fans gear up for a Super Bowl attended by Taylor Swift (assuming she can make it in time from her concert in Tokyo.) 

It’s easy to forget that just a few years ago, we were having a very different conversation about the NFL. 

“It actually goes back to 2011 or so, which is when hundreds and eventually thousands of former players began suing the league over allegations, basically, that the league had lied to them about the long term dangers of concussions,” explains sports reporter Will Hobson. 

A “landmark” settlement in 2015 promised payouts for players with dementia and their families. But a Washington Post investigation found that behind the scenes, the settlement routinely fails to deliver money and medical care to former players suffering from dementia and CTE.

Read the key findings from The Post’s investigation of the NFL concussion settlement here.

What questions do you have about The Concussion Files? Ask The Post.

Today’s show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Maggie Penman. Thank you to Joe Tone and Wendy Galietta. 

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