The 2015 film Concussion, directed by Peter Landesman, tells the story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, a Nigerian-American neuropathologist who first identified chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in former NFL players. The movie stars Will Smith as Dr. Omalu and follows his journey as he discovers the link between repeated head trauma and brain damage in football players. But how accurate is the movie in portraying the real-life events and the science behind CTE?
The Real-Life Story of Dr. Bennet Omalu
Dr. Bennet Omalu was born in 1968 in Nigeria and moved to the United States in 1994 to pursue a career in medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh and later completed his residency in pathology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. In 2002, Omalu was working as a forensic pathologist in Pittsburgh when he was assigned to perform an autopsy on former NFL player Mike Webster, who had died at the age of 50.
Omalu's examination of Webster's brain revealed significant damage, including tau protein tangles and amyloid plaques, which are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. However, Omalu also found evidence of a unique type of brain damage that he had not seen before, which he later termed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated blows to the head, which can lead to memory loss, depression, anxiety, and other cognitive and behavioral problems.
The Science Behind CTE
CTE is a complex and multifactorial disease that is still not fully understood. Research has shown that repeated head trauma can cause the accumulation of tau protein in the brain, which can lead to the formation of neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques. These changes can cause the death of brain cells and lead to the symptoms of CTE. The severity and progression of CTE can vary widely depending on the individual and the extent of their head trauma.
The movie Concussion accurately portrays the initial skepticism of the NFL and other medical professionals regarding Omalu's findings. However, it also exaggerates the extent of the NFL's efforts to discredit Omalu and suppress his research. In reality, the NFL did eventually acknowledge the link between head trauma and CTE, and it has since taken steps to reduce the risk of head injuries in football.
| CTE Stage | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Mild cognitive impairment, mood changes |
| Stage 2 | Memory loss, depression, anxiety |
| Stage 3 | Executive function deficits, difficulty with speech and language |
| Stage 4 | Severe cognitive impairment, dementia, motor dysfunction |
The Impact of Concussion on the NFL and Football
The movie Concussion has had a significant impact on the NFL and the sport of football as a whole. The NFL’s response to the movie was initially defensive, with some officials questioning the accuracy of Omalu’s findings and the portrayal of the league’s handling of head injuries. However, the movie also raised awareness of the risks of head trauma in football and prompted the NFL to take steps to reduce these risks.
The NFL has implemented various rule changes and safety protocols to reduce the risk of head injuries, including rule changes to prohibit helmet-to-helmet hits and increased penalties for players who engage in reckless behavior. The league has also invested in research on CTE and other head injuries, and it has provided support to former players who are suffering from the effects of head trauma.
The Future of Football and Head Injury Research
The movie Concussion has sparked a national conversation about the risks of head trauma in football and other contact sports. While the NFL and other sports leagues have taken steps to reduce these risks, more research is needed to fully understand the causes and consequences of CTE and other head injuries. The development of new safety technologies, such as helmets and other protective gear, is also crucial to reducing the risk of head injuries in football.
The movie Concussion is a powerful reminder of the importance of independent research and the need for medical professionals to speak truth to power. Dr. Omalu's discovery of CTE has led to a greater understanding of the risks of head trauma in football, and it has prompted efforts to reduce these risks and protect the health and safety of athletes.
What is chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)?
+CTE is a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated blows to the head, which can lead to memory loss, depression, anxiety, and other cognitive and behavioral problems.
How accurate is the movie Concussion in portraying the real-life events and the science behind CTE?
+The movie Concussion is generally accurate in portraying the real-life events and the science behind CTE, although it does exaggerate the extent of the NFL’s efforts to discredit Dr. Omalu and suppress his research.
What has been the impact of the movie Concussion on the NFL and football?
+The movie Concussion has had a significant impact on the NFL and football, raising awareness of the risks of head trauma and prompting the league to take steps to reduce these risks, including rule changes and increased investment in research and safety protocols.
