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  • ‘Concussion’ Movie Starring Will Smith Sheds Light On Injuries Suffered By NFL Players

    The movie Concussion premiered in theaters on Christmas Day, and tells the story of a medical specialist who discovers a degenerative brain disease that is linked to contact sports such as football.

    In the Concussion movie, Will Smith plays a pathologist named Dr. Bennet Omalu who discovers a disease known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE, which affects athletes who have engaged in contact sports.

    As the issue builds on how football leagues such as the NFL would take care of its athletes and prevent them from suffering from this disease, some former players have also weighed in on the discussion.

    Former Oiler Warren Moon said in an interview that he suffered six concussions during his career, and he is now worried about their long-term effects on his health.

    “Your brain gets rattled around in your skull, so it bruises your brain,” Moon said.

    Moon, 59, remembered the different concussions he suffered, and recalled that some of them were very bad that he would occasionally lose awareness of where he was.

    He was worried that due to the concussions, something bad would happen one day.

    Hall of Famer Warren Moon Discusses the Consequences of Football-Related Concussions

    While Moon still hasn’t experienced the adverse effects of the sport, other former players are not as fortunate. Some have reportedly suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, while others eventually died from their injuries.

    One of the former NFL players who is currently suffering the consequences of his numerous concussions is Hall of Famer Harry Carson.

    Carson, who played as linebacker for the New York Giants in the 1970s and ‘80s, said that parents should be well-informed regarding what their kids will go through if they play football.

    The Concussion Movie Delves into Brain-Related Injuries in the NFL

    The Concussion movie which also stars Alec Baldwin and Albert Brooks, was supposed to spread awareness on this danger. However, a report pointed out that the film seemed to have softened some of the crucial plots, and script somehow focused its tone on other related issues, reportedly to avoid earning the ire of NFL executives.

  • ‘Concussion’ Movie Elicits Emotional Reactions From Current and Former NFL Players

    Concussion, starring Will Smith, has elicited emotional reactions from current and former NFL players.

    The film, based on true events and released on Christmas day, chronicles the work of Dr. Bennet Omalu (Smith), a forensic pathologist who has been vocal against the NFL’s attempts to suppress his research on the discovery of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and brain damage in deceased football players.

    The MMQB screened Concussion with 70 former NFL players, and received emotional reactions both for and against the film from several players on Twitter.

    According to Sport Illustrated, NFL players are able to redeem free admission to the movie by showing their NFL Players Association card at Cinemark theaters.

    The film is not necessarily putting the football industry in a happy place.

    “I probably won’t be getting my free Super Bowl tickets this year,” Will Smith told CNN about the reaction he expects from the NFL.

    In the months leading up to the release of Concussion, leaked Sony emails indicated that its filmmakers were concerned about upsetting the NFL.

    “We welcome any conversation about player health and safety,” said the NFL in a statement sent to CNN. “Broader and deeper awareness of these issues will positively impact all athletes.

    “The NFL has made numerous changes to the game to enhance the health and safety of players at all levels of football. These include nearly 40 rule changes in the last decade, strict concussion protocols, and better training and sideline medical care.

    “We’re seeing measurable results, including a 34% decrease in concussions in NFL games since the 2012 season.

    “Additionally, we are funding independent scientific and medical research and the development of better protective equipment to advance further progress. The game continues to change, and the safety of our players remains our highest priority.”

    Although Smith is an avid football fan and has a son who plays, the 47-year-old actor hesitated on whether to make the film. In the end, he says it was important to bring the doctor’s story to the attention of the world and to honor those who have suffered as a result of football-related brain injury.

    “The production was extremely heavy,” Smith said. “You know, it’s not just a movie. It’s people’s lives that we’re trying to do justice to their suffering.”

  • “Concussion” Movie: Hollywood On Board in Protecting Athletes

    Concussion–the movie about athletes who sustain concussions during play–presents one of the hottest health topics in sports circles to its viewers. With Hollywood on board with this topic, the film might do as much good as doctors have in spreading the word about the dangers involved.

    Premiering on Christmas Day, Concussion stars Will Smith as Nigerian-born forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu. He is the doctor who discovered a disorder similar to Alzheimer’s–called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE–while doing an autopsy on a former NFL player. He then went on a crusade to make the public aware of the dangers of football-related head injuries.

    Since Dr. Omalu’s research began more than 10 years ago, the public has learned a lot about these sports-related blows to the head.

    Former NFL quarterback Brett Favre spoke to CBS This Morning about his injuries and the memory loss he sustained as a result.

    “This was a little shocking to me that I couldn’t remember my daughter playing youth soccer,” Favre said.

    A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury, typically caused by a blow or jolt to the head.

    Concussion, the movie, proves football is dangerous and makes one wonder if it’s really a sport, according to the Huffington Post.

    The publication’s review of Concussion says the movie’s end credits will “stir up anger and a discussion about the validity of football as a sport. Dr. Omalu fought for the truth to be admitted by the NFL, then dropped the ball. Concussion only tells part of the story.”

    Between the serious nature of this film and Will Smith as its lead character, do you think Concussion is worth a trip to the movie theater?

    It definitely sounds like one all coaches and parents of kids who play sports–especially football or hockey–should plan to see.