here's abc's ryan smith. >> i chose to give everything that i had when playing for these teams.hen not being able to be supported by the fraternity that i gave my all to is hurtful. >> reporter: for lewis leonard, a former nfl defensive tackle, this is personal. months after an abc news investigation examined allegations of racial bias in the nfl's concussion settlement program, lewis and his wife lacy are demanding answers. >> they're making money off the backs of our husbands and our fathers and our brothers. >> i understand that it's a business. but it hurts. it do, it hurts. >> reporter: the leonards are joining a growing chorus of black former nfl players and their families speaking out about the protocols used to determine compensation for some head injuries on the field. like kevin henry and najeh davenport, who spoke to abc about their lawsuit against the nfl. >> i'm looked at differently, and it pisses me off. >> that's literally the definition of systematic racism with this race-norming stuff. >> reporter: at the center of the firestorm is a controversial practice know

those players speaking exclusively with abc news' ryan smith earlier this year. >> look out -- down he goes! >> reporter: former pittsburgh steelers defensive lineman kevin henry says after retiring from the league, he began suffering from depression, memory loss and bouts of anger. in 2017, he underwent a series of tests. a doctor determining henry was suffering from a cognitive decline consistent with mild dementia. so he submitted a claim to the nfl concussion settlement program. >> what was the result of the claim you filed? >> i was denied. >> reporter: the claims administrator stating that there were "issues related to validity" of the tests and asserted that the evaluation "used inappropriate norms." >> i'm banged up. i'm beat up. and the part that you don't see is up here. you don't see how my brain is beat up. they don't hit me less or harder because i'm black. >> reporter: in response to questions from abc news, an nfl spokesperson continued to assert there was no merit to the claim of discrimination. as the protocols were designed to stop bias in testing, not perpetrate it.

some black former players say it was used to deny them money in brain injury claims and ryan smith joinser: it absolutely is, michael, good morning. after an abc news investigation into allegations of racial bias in the nfl's concussion settlement program, and the public pressure campaign led by former players and their families, the nfl is vowing to end the controversial practice. this morning, the nfl is pledging to make sure race no longer plays a part in the landmark 2013 nfl concussion settlement program. which has so far paid eligible former players suffering from the effects of head injuries hundreds of millions of dollars. >> football doesn't give you an expiration date. you just expire. >> reporter: but players like former steelers defensive end kevan henry say they didn't qualify because of the color of their skin. despite battling memory loss, headaches and depression, symptoms henry suspects are long-term effects of head injuries he sustained on the field his claims were denied. >> i just want to be looked at the same as a white guy. >> reporter: at the center of the firestor