Will Smith to play discoverer of CTE in NFL concussion movie
By John Buhler
Actor Will Smith will play Dr. Bennet Omalu, the discoverer of the head trauma disease CTE in NFL players, in an upcoming movie by Sony Pictures.
The movie is titled Concussion and it’s based on the true life events of Dr. Omalu’s discovery of CTE and his efforts to bring awareness to the brain disease in the National Football League. Dr. Omalu’s research brought a tremendous culture change to the NFL’s policy on concussions.
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The NFL’s amplification of concussion protocol under Commissioner Roger Goodell in large part stems from Omalu’s work with traumatic brain injuries. Omalu first discovered CTE back in 2002 in the brain of former Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame center Mike Webster. He also performed the autopsy on San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame LB Junior Seau after his suicide in 2012.
Dr. Omalu continues his medical research at UC Davis and is a founder of the Brain Injury Research Institute (BIRI). Essentially, Dr. Bennet Omalu is the face of traumatic brain injury research in the medical world.
CTE, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, and its physical and psychological effects on former football players and wrestlers has amplified the awareness of the serious nature of brain injuries. CTE develops in people who experience repetitive head trauma, such as playing on the gridiron for years at a time.
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Will Smith speaks in a Nigerian accent in this upcoming film to best emulate Dr. Omalu. This isn’t Smith’s first biopic, as he played Muhammad Ali in Ali. Ironically, Ali suffers from the neurological condition known as Parkinson’s Disease.
This upcoming film is based on the GQ Article “Game Brain,” and Concussion appears like it will bring more light to the issue of traumatic brain injuries in professional sports. Having an A-List actor like Will Smith proudly portraying Dr. Omalu seems to add credibility to the film.
Concussion will premier in theaters on Christmas Day.