The NFL's History of Race Norming is Unknown By Many

Last week I appeared on The Breakfast Club and made some comments about an extremely racist practice that the NFL didn’t end until 2021 … and it only ended because the NFL was sued. Jemele Hill shares her thoughts on a new edition of F*ck It, I'm Bothered.
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Award-winning journalist and culture critic Jemele Hill interviews the most compelling figures in news, pop culture, politics and sports. Expect unbothered and unfiltered conversations.

[@wannellalawson4001]

My husband love football. I know a little. When you and Michael were on ESPN watched it every week. I did not know anything about race norming until my husband explained to me. You are 100percent right. Keep doing what you are doing. We need you.

[@babyspider99]

You aren't too smart are you

[@wannellalawson4001]

@@babyspider99 This will be my final reply to you. I want reply to your comments. It is not worth my time. I like Jemele Hill. She knows what she is talking about. I will continue watching her videos. So take that negative remark somewhere else.

[@dw00ds]

This is why I will ALWAYS support Jemele Hill. She not only hits us with the truth, she will gladly educate those of us who have the audacity to try and shame her or call her a liar - while not knowing the whole story or any actual facts!! Protect this woman at ALL COSTS!!!

[@anthonygraham8122]

If you need jemelle to educate you about race norming then I don't know what to tell ya.

[@dw00ds]

@@anthonygraham8122 🙄 - lol, not what was said, but sure thing Anthony

[@anthonygraham8122]

@dw00ds LOL. You're talking about protecting her at all costs. Talking about race norming is not breaking the cycle of the powers that be. It really isn't. Plus. Sometimes she's wrong and doesn't get her info right. The government only kills those of us that are making real impacts that could spark change. Trust me, she ain't one of those people. But keep being educated by KZbin and a woman who routinely has to walk back her comments and has had every platform she's been on (most recently Spotify) canceled before the contracted length of platform ends. I hope that works out for ya.

[@anthonygraham8122]

@@dw00ds oh. And let me give the most ignorant response yall sistas say routinely on social media. "I said what I said".

[@harrydred]

@@anthonygraham8122 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@DanielleSamoneJohnson77]

Yet and STILL so many people think that racism is about someone's personal feelings about black people. I can not like a person till the sun stops shining, but that won't make any difference in the quality of their education, housing, livelihood, mortality, etc. This practice you discuss here is some PRIME real racism in action!

[@cjasewell]

They choose to believe racism as individual feelings because it maintains their vested interest in its near universal pracitce, and their uneanred advanatages.

[@peaceworld9869]

Facts 🎯

[@johnnyfive9815]

This is all bullshit I worked in a supermarket in the south bronx for 6 years it's the cultural shopping habits. I see the black community buy more frozen food and sugar drinks than any other group of people. And there were plenty of vegetables-anything to find an excuse.

[@jagbrit3723]

Danielle, You are aptly describing structural/systemic/institutional racism which lead to the grave socioeconomic disparities seen today. As cjase keenly noted, the majority faction generally disregard these truths and instead uphold the notion of racism being individually-oriented, or based on common slurs, as such false beliefs minimizes the gravity of racism economically, healthwise, and otherwise. They may respect you, or even like you, but they don't want you, your mama, and your cousins too to gain access to the VIP section.

[@aaronnewton6313]

My Queen, I can't get enough of your unapologetic truthfulness. WOW!!!

[@dartanyanbrown2014]

In this age of dumbing down....it's manna from heaven hearing someone helping us to smarten UP! 🔥

[@bcause3353]

No one that covered sports for that long will make statements Jemele Hill made, without the credibility and facts to back it. Thanks you for the brief history lesson on the NFL's racist practices and for shutting down the ignorant parties that tried to portray you a liar

[@DrTonyHampton]

Health Equity starts with sharing information like this. Well done 👍🏾

[@rfreeze]

Never heard about this from NFL perspective. Fighting racism in this country is like playing whac-a-mole…knock one type down and new ones pop up 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@ninersdodgersthunder]

I can’t understand for the life of me how anybody on the globe (especially Black people) can listen to Jemele Hill and not think this is one of the most brilliant minded people ever speak on a microphone… I’m at a point if I come across ANY platform where she’s speaking, I’m literally stopping what I’m doing to listen. 💯

[@jaux01]

Jemele thanks for informing those who did not know about this issue. I understood the overall issue but also learned some new things.

[@lindseyadams5339]

I love you.. We love you Jemele! Thank you for being! Thank you for your voice!

[@KemiBuckner-oi2wd]

I heard about it from watching Nightline a few years back. So sad that we continue to be used and not recognized for our blueprint in society.

[@dougrogers7885]

I knew about the concussion issue. But I didn't recognize the term , thanks for the info.

[@INeedABlessingNow]

Thank you Jemele Hill for once again informing us of the crucial stories that are not in the mainstream media.

[@johnhill9445]

Keep Speaking 🗣️ Truth To Power

[@georgevjohnsonjr]

I haven't watched a NFL game since Collin Kap was screwed over🙏

[@dsp8884]

Aye, admittedly, was not the biggest fan of yours, but I got to say this medium works for you. Direct, to the point, no fluff. The topic is one to chew on and appreciate how you brought facts and reason. Look forward to more. Definitely can see fan base growing. Perhaps this is the way vs network television. Maybe a cross over with you Shay and Pepe.

[@beverlyx9546]

Very Informative Interview Queen 👸🏾 ❤💯

[@theseeker5579]

Good info!!! Please keep us informed!!

[@joemesa6745]

Jemele, I agree with you 100% on every point you made across the various issues you covered.

[@eatshiy]

We don't have a race problem...just a problem race!😖

[@Whosdaman682]

I’m a huge NFL fan and Jemele is right cause while I heard about the new lawsuit I never heard this story in the news or on espn. Can’t believe Malika Andrews didn’t bring it up on her 5 minutes

[@gilmoremccoy6930]

You are absolutely correct in your assessment of the racist behavior of the NFL. Shame on their criminal policy. I will never support the NFL again....

[@Sclass_Bus]

Thanks Jermele for you continued and honest #Journalism

[@victoriaallen3753]

Good reporting! I wasn't aware of this policy, but I'm also not surprised. Keep teaching my Detroit sistah!

[@tiffhops5960]

I absolutely love the title!! Thank ya for learning me sumthin!!

[@JudgeDeborah]

Thank you. Knowledge is TRULY power!

[@willierobbinsjr.7052]

Excellent!!! Well done!!!! I enjoyed this information, I’m going to share it! Be blessed!!!

[@fatedtolive667]

Bless your heart for speaking out.

[@cinatroope6541]

You younglady, are A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH: "I get those goosebumps every time", every time I hear you "F*CK!N BOTHERED".😂 Thank you for being "UNAPOLOGETIC & BOTHERED!" I f*ck!n ❤️ It!😊

[@jonathanmciver1823]

Jemele you are definitely a strong, beautiful, intelligent black Queen for sure! I am so glad that I stumbled across your channel yesterday! I most definitely subscribed to it & I plan on watching as many episodes of your KZbin channel as I can! Keep preaching and telling the truth my lovely sister!

[@mdonblacktoday]

EXCELLENT VIDEO...I STOPPED WATCHING THAT NFL SHIT EVEN BEFORE KAP...I SAW RACISM IN EVERY COMPONENT OF THE GAME.

[@rasjahson6261]

They are continuing the practice but in a different way. Same as Corporate America and the U. S. Government. I’ve known about this since the mid 70’s when I was young.

[@dixiebrick]

How colleges and high schools continue to evade liability is criminal!

[@apsvend]

Very good piece 👏🏾

[@DH-uw3us]

I did know about this through Eboni K. Williams. She talked about it on her podcast. Also, your plantation reference is spot on. The NFL is problematic for so many reasons smh.

[@BigCheefaDaOG]

Thank you Sis!🙏🏾✊🏾

[@basslinephunk3441]

I know this info sis💪🏾✌🏾 to you for being this out. ... We need you💪🏾✊🏾

[@lakeshabrown4836]

Keep dropping the facts for those who admire and appreciate your courage to speak the truth! The naysayers will eventually catch up and catch on😌

[@MuctaruKabba]

I always learn from your unapologetic and ruthless pursuit of truth, whether or not I agree with you. Kee on keeping on! ⚽🏈

[@MickyTubbs1985]

I was a Baltimore Ravens fan until I found out that the team owner was a supporter of unrepentant RACIST, RACIST ttrump.

[@Jay-id4ol]

Yo Jemele podcast should be at one million subs. Yo she speaking facts. Jemele you need to team up with Dr. Richey

[@jjordan211]

Thank you, for this information. I saw this briefly in a news clip somewhere, but never saw the settlement. They show us who they are, and we (most of us) still don't get it.

[@6time686]

If the black players know about racism in the NFL and stay quiet why should we care? Serious question.

[@orlandocurry2663]

This some BS , thank you for this, please keep doing what you do to keep the masses informed

[@calmdown2876]

Mrs. Hill is a brothers best friend. Talk it like you know it lovely.

[@HughJass-313]

To be fair... I didn't know anything about Taylor swift dating anybody 🤣

[@themasterdebator3952]

Jemele sleeps, breathes, and dreams racism.

[@thomasrideout6811]

Jemele IS A BOSS For REAL

[@bastiat6865]

Thank you. I had no idea.

[@rodneyredden2413]

I appreciate your research and platform,thank you for the enlightenment! It’s amazing how ESPN fired you for speaking the truth about the racist “Dump” but would not apologize or rehire you when the facts proved you right. We have a very long road to conquer with this issue,and we need unapologetic voices to stand .Thank You ¥

[@lgeff6]

Brilliant piece . You gained a subscription fasho

[@rodneyavery1574]

Good information!!!

[@caribbeanradiology7004]

Stop watching the NFL years ago. Great work!!

[@1BWC...]

TELUM SIS, STAY " WOKE! " MUCH LOVE

[@33makavellidadon22]

Deep.....!! J.

[@YGrinch97]

Good info Ms Smarty Pants 👍🏿

[@jlilly7913]

Thank you very much, Jamelle, for opening our eyes by highlighting such critical information. We suspect that The Four Letter would have touched on this minimally in a 45-second segment at best.

[@thesoulbrother8636]

That's one of many reasons why I personally don't watch the NFL. Cheers!🍸

[@jlburns01]

One of the MANY reasons I stopped following the NFL...

[@edithjackson7002]

Keep sharing the truth👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿💐💐💐💐💐 thank you

[@jeffreyherndon3757]

Thank you Jemele for your voice of truth it will sent us free!!!!

[@emzee586]

People like her keeping racism alive. Like Morgan Freeman said, don’t talk about it.

[@lennyd114]

Morgan Freeman knows better than that, he just doesn’t want to bite the hand that feeds him. That’s like Trump saying we should stop counting COVID cases so the numbers won’t go up. Maybe we should stop talking about cancer, HIV, diabetes and a host of other incurable diseases. That should make them all go away🤨

[@bigran_outbound2262]

🫡 Excellent demonstration Mrs Hill

[@walkerwayz5039]

Keeping speaking on all of it Jemele, as always using your platform to bring to the truth, the whole and nothing but...

[@a-train3503]

Great work Jemele!!!

[@jacewoods411]

What's the update on Brian Flores' lawsuit? 🤔🤨

[@FeloniousBalony]

Not to mention the fact that when a black coach does get the job...its usually with a horrible team..then as soon as the team is about to get better and do better ...they get fired and a white coach is hired...look at the chargers situation. Once the Texans start doing better .....watch the coach get fired and someone else comes in. Then they cant get rehired cuz they say ohh look at his record. SMDH happens in the NBA as well!

[@Eagle8]

Great Show 👍

[@ernestowensjr4680]

Very informative. I appreciate the knowledge..

[@thetunkmaster]

People, this is how you make A video about A serious subject, you do it with verifiable receipts up front, not none of that I said it so you should believe me crap. (WELL DONE J.H.)

[@CoachScott61]

Thank you for the knowledge. I didnt know.

[@MsHJones]

THANK YOU

[@tankmontgomery8443]

Jemele is the "Truth" period.

[@axucaroso]

Why was the NFL hiring doctors to create race based testing? Shouldnt an independent oversight or government agency at least reviewed the process? And where were the player agents and players union?

[@GunnyPhillips]

Was anyone ever under the impression the NFL actually cared about it's players, black or otherwise? Of course this sort of thing exists. Players are and must continue being smarter about their NFL careers and the toll exacted on their long-term health. As with any dangerous hustle, get in, get your money and get out. Only QB's are allowed to stick around indefinitely under protective policies.

[@jockstrap3509]

She took us all to school and learned us sumthin!

[@russellstevens9927]

I like how people think that a journalist of Jamele's caliber would be up in here just making up stuff. Honestly, if Jamelle says anything about anything (especially regarding race), I would repeat it and be confident that it's totally true. How tf you gone be working the cash register at Jack in the Box and you're out here calling a whole journalist a "liar"?! 😂😂😂

[@matthewlong414]

Teach sister! I'm subscribing 💪

[@el_covfefe]

I got time "reperation" for my Kidney misdiagnosis

[@10x10_4life]

Great Work

[@libertyordeath555]

It also didn't get half the press Kyrie Irving did, thank you for educating the masses Ms. Hill.

[@CarolynAlston-h2m]

Love ya lady you are smart and tells the truth

[@JosephSmejkal]

You are outstanding!

[@GC-eq3rh]

Preach jemele

[@TheRasta4ri]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. When you get a chance listen to the blue tail fly, Big Bill Broonzy

[@rodneylove1880]

Damn, Damn, Damn, Damn.

[@leciadavis-phillips6676]

That for the facts Sis. ✊🏾

[@chrismachabee3128]

PART 4 The NFL’s scandalous practice of refusing payouts to brain-injured black players was rooted in ‘systematic’ racism. The NFL, American football’s professional league, is to abandon the practice of “race norming” in assessing compensation for former players with brain injuries. It’s the assumption that black players have lower cognitive functioning than white ones, an assumption that made it harder for them to prove they had suffered a deficit through brain trauma and so qualify for a payout. Two former players, Kevin Henry and Najeh Davenport, had sued the NFL, having been denied compensation that they would have received had they been white. 4 The treatment of black people as cognitively less able is straightforward bigotry and draws on a long racist history. The irony, though, is that race norming was introduced as an anti-racist measure and as part of affirmative action programmes. 4 But the idea of assessing individuals differently by virtue of the racial group to which they are deemed to belong is necessarily rooted in racist views of group differences. “When they use a different scale for African Americans versus any other race… that’s literally the definition of systematic racism,” Davenport said. And that’s true in a factory or office as much as on the football field. It’s a practice that only strengthens the idea that races, and racial differences, are fixed entities. The NFL scandal is a reminder that racism cannot be challenged by adopting racist ideas. 4 4 - ‘Race norming’ is bigotry that began with good intentions: Referenced - www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/06/race-norming-good-intentions-bigotry

[@sensorykidzllcmhelvy5442]

Thank you!

[@MikeRob2]

Thanks J Hill!!!

[@chrismachabee3128]

As a public service i will seek to enlighten those who do not know what this conversation is about. I have 4 entries that should bring anyone who reads them up to speed on this shocking subject. PART 1 In the recent past, blacks were restricted to certain positions. Other positions, over time dribble in blacks at the position, grudgingly. Everyone knows that blacks were "Race Normed" out of the QB position in the NFL. It was an unwritten rule. Again, black QB were dribble in as backups and were able to show it was possible a black was "smart" enough to handle the complex position of QB. The racism in the NFL was a finely honed tool teams used to keep black players out. The reason black grew in numbers was money. A black player at a show time position, RB, WR, and TE was exciting and a crowd pleasing. So, team relented and brought aboard, reluctantly, black players, and they did not disappoint. In my opinion, it was generally Jim Brown, the first black superman RB that flipped teams, all teams into search mode needed to get one of them and it spawn the search for black men who could excel. Race norming in the NFL was not a scientific process, and they were able to afford industrial psychologist who drew up the ways and means, and actually created the test, that were the entrance test rookies were given to be graded and showed to a team what you could expect from this player intelligence wise. It was not a termination test. Film showed they could play the game. The most famous player today that reflect that is Cam Newton. On film he was a superman QB. Intellectually, he was spoon fed plays and allowed to run, in which he was very talented, to produce wins for his team. In his later years, after being traded to the Patriots, it was apparent Cam was no Brainiac. The Patriots offensive system is among the most complex in the NFL. Volumes of documented offenses had to re-shelved so only few the fitted into Newton's wheelhouse were given to him, needless to say the Patriots were not the amen team, and they did not win. What is Race Norming? Race-norming, more formally called within-group score conversion and score adjustment strategy, is the practice of adjusting test scores to account for the race or ethnicity of the test-taker. Reference: Wikipedia On June 2, 2021, the National Football League (NFL) announced it would discontinue the use of race norming-the practice of assuming a lower baseline of cognitive abilities in Black players-in legal settlements for concussion-related injuries. 1 Bottom line: the race norming practice limited Black players’ access to the compensation they were rightfully owed.1 In 2013, the NFL settled for $765 million after more than 4,500 retired players brought concussion-related lawsuits against the league. In theory, approximately 18,000 former players were eligible to receive the settlement, which is meant to cover compensation, medical exams, further research, and legal fees for concussion-related neurological diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). 1 While this settlement seemed like a victory to some, Black players quickly found out that it would be harder to access these funds because the NFL required that cognitive tests used be adjusted for race. With this in mind, Henry and Davenport quietly filed a lawsuit against the NFL in the fall of 2020. 1 “Black former players are automatically assumed (through a statistical manipulation called ‘race-norming’) to have started with worse cognitive functioning than White former players. As a result, if a Black former player and a White former player receive the exact same raw scores on a battery of tests designed to measure their current cognitive functioning, the Black player is presumed to have suffered less impairment, and he is therefore less likely to qualify for compensation,” their lawsuit contended. 1 The June announcement was, rightly, met with shock that the practice had even been in use. But for those of us who are attuned to the actions and strategies of the most profitable and popular professional sport league in the United States, the news wasn’t much of a surprise. It is just the latest example on the laundry list of the NFL’s anti-Black, racist and discriminatory practices over the past decades. 1 Scientific American's conclusion, “race norming is an inherently anti-Black form of scientific racism that is evidence of slavery’s afterlife." 1 1 - The NFL’s Racist ‘Race Norming’ Is an Afterlife of Slavery Referenced from www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-nfls-racist-race-norming-is-an-afterlife-of-slavery/

[@jamesdavis1949]

I can believe everything she saying that’s why they never wanted the Movie the Will play in the air in the theaters

[@thekey3033]

Right On! Very few people can distinguish the difference between bigotry and racism; Bigotry is more about disliking a person, while racism is predicated on denying a people both their human and civil rights based on their the color of their skin. Conversely, racial privilege is the means of reinforcing the notion of a racial hierarchy....js

[@marcellmonroe5727]

Literally Policy. Thats where you go off the rails.

[@dawg9]

I knew about this and she's right, no one cared. Swept it right under the rug like it wasn't a thing.

[@1972vulture]

Kinda soft-pedalling the fact that the NFL is operating under a NEGOTIATED settlement the terms of which can and have changed. Our ancestors that endured slavery got no such consideration, so you're also minimizing their sacrifice. Respect our ancestors; no, not everything is 'just-like-slavery'.

[@JovauneePierre]

They will always find a way to keep the republics bloodlust satisfied

[@courtlaw1]

Wait.....I have more muscle mass.....Where the hell is it. Small edit... I quit watching NFL football a long time ago, College football is 20 times better to watch.

[@ChiTownGrmRepr]

So you're saying systemic racism exists in the NFL?