former players who developed dementia and# other brain diseases linked to concussions.

Since then, the NFL has awarded $1.2 billion to# more than 1,600 athletes.

But a Washington Post## investigation found the league saved hundreds# of millions of dollars by rejecting payouts## to hundreds of retired players suffering# from dementia, including many who died.

Washington Post reporter Will Hobson# joins me now to discuss his investigation.

Will, thanks for joining us.

You reviewed to players and widows and doctors.# Before we get into the details,## what kind of trend emerged in your reporting# about how the NFL viewed a WILL HOBSON, The Washington Post: Well, we# found that basically that this settlement## has its own unique way to define dementia.# And that's one big compo players out there, many players out there# who are getting diagnosed with dementia,## and they obviously have the symptoms of dementia,# but they don't So, they're getting denied for money and medical## care that they and their lawyers# AM NA NAWAZ: So, the league said the# players suffering from get the settlement claims once# they develop signs of dementia.

Your reporting found, of 1,241 former# players who filed de on diagnoses from their doctors, only about# 15 percent were approved.

Why so many denials?

WILL HOBSON: They're -- the league# contends there's been a lot of fraud,## and I do believe that is true.# There were a significant number of## players who didn't actually have these# conditions who attempted to get paid.

But, as we documented, there are also a lot of# guys out there who ind through this process, saw their claims get denied,# and then died and had CTE confirmed at autopsy.

AMNA NAWAZ: You do tell the story of# Irv Cross, a former NFL star, who was a## barrier breaker as well, in terms of being an# on-air broadcaster for the league for yea What happened to him?

WILL HOBSON: Mr. Cross, diagnosed with dementia.

He was having --# at this point, having trouble speaking,## maintaining conversation.

The doctors even# noted that his clothing was soiled that day.

His wife said she needed to remind him to change# his clothes.

But he didn't score low enough on## cognitive tests for the NFL settlement's# definition of dementia.

So he was denied,## or he was told he didn't qualify for a settlement# payment.

He ultimately passed away a few years## later, what his doctors thought was Alzheimer's# disease, but an autopsy found it was actually CT AMNA NAWAZ: And how common was that kind of case?

WILL HOBSON: Without being able to r we couldn't tell you exactly how common,# but the NFL is easily saving hundreds## of millions of dollars based on# how this settlement was designed.

AMNA NAWAZ: Will, you have also reported# previously on the race-normi that was negotiated as part of the settlement,## meaning that Black players were tr assessment than white players, even though Black# players make up the majo Did any of that impact these# diagnoses and the settlement payments?

WILL HOBSON: They did.

I on the cognitive test score front was because# his scores were race-normed, which is basically## the test scores were curved and adjusted a# little bit based on a formula that assumes## Black former players naturally perform worse on# these cognitive tests than white former players.

AMNA NAWAZ: And how does the NFL and## the representatives re WILL HOBSON: Well, the NFL contends# that the settlement's de mentia isn't actually more difficult than the## regular one and that the doctors we have# inte They also point out that the settlement is# overseen by an independent admi and a federal judge, and so the NFL isn't directly# controlling how a lot of these claims play out.

AMNA NAWAZ: It's a fascinating investigation.# People can read the full report online.

That is Will Hobson of The# Washington Post joining us tonight.

Will, thank you so much.

WILL HOBSON: My pleasure.

Thanks.