Concussion

I like football.  Actually, I LOVE football.  This movie made me want to love it a little less.  It really makes you question whether the injuries and head trauma are all worth it and how much money plays into everything.  Will Smith plays Dr. Bennet Omalu, who has made the first discovery of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), which is a disease of the brain caused by trauma and repeated blows.  It has also been seen in other sports, too, such as boxing, hockey, racing, rodeo, etc.  People with the disorder start having dizzy spells, erratic behavior, and memory loss, which eventually leads to dementia, impeded speech, and suicidal thoughts and actions.  The only way they can be tested is after death, since the brain has to be examined.  Dr. Omalu didn’t quite know what he was up against when he started making claims against the National Football League, but the longer things went on, the more cases there were, the harder it was for them to deny it.  He isn’t against football – he just wants to find out what is causing the issues and what can be done to help people from going through these horrible episodes.  If you’ve wondered why so many high-profile athletes have been announcing they are donating their brains to science lately, this is the reason.  It will definitely make me look at football a little differently this season.