“Concussion” rethinking football

“Concussion” rethinking football January 29, 2016

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Based on true events, Nigerian-born Dr. Bennet Omalu (Will Smith) is a university researcher and forensic pathologist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When former Steelers great Mike Webster (David Morse) develops dementia and dies, homeless, in 2002, Omalu discovers through brain-tissue analysis that “Iron Mike” had sustained significant brain trauma, a condition called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
After finding the same injury when analyzing the brain tissue of other deceased football players (some of whom committed suicide), he publishes his findings in the journal Neurosurgery in 2005 and 2006.

These articles attract the unfavorable attention of the National Football League and others calling for Omalu to retract his findings. NFL lawyers accuse him of an anti-football bias because he doesn’t know, understand, or like the game—therefore, his conclusions cannot be true. But Omalu clings to his integrity and scientific evidence, which cannot be refuted.

Despite the unfavorable attention he receives—which includes death threats—his parish priest asks him to take in Prema (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), a nurse who recently arrived from Africa. As time passes, they fall in love and marry.

Concussion is a fascinating investigative medical drama. Will Smith is … click here to continue reading


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