Omalu, a practitioner who has such pride in his profession that he corrects people who refer to him as mister with doctor, but who is so kindhearted, brilliant. Her writing has appeared in gq, esquire, the new york times magazine, o. Concussion is a 2015 american biographical sports drama film directed and written by peter landesman, based on the expose game brain by jeanne marie laskas, published in 2009 by gq magazine. Concussion, the movie, may change way football is played. Dec 14, 2015 that discovery and its aftermath are the basis for jeanne marie laskas latest book, concussion. Oct 06, 2015 concussion is a so much more than a football book. Bennet omalu will smith explains the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic. Book by concussion doctor is recommended reading for. Athletes or parents can choose to share the results with their doctors and athletic trainers. Rebecca skloot, author of the immortal life of henrietta lacksthe story of dr. Nov 24, 2015 praise for concussion a gripping medical mystery and a dazzling portrait of the young scientist no one wanted to listen to. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. With will smith, alec baldwin, albert brooks, david morse.
Bennet omalu, the pathologist who made one of the most significant medical discoveries of the twentyfirst century, a discovery that challenges the existence of america s favorite sport and puts omalu in the crosshairs of football s most. Is the will smith movie concussion based on a true story. Dec 21, 2015 at the climactic moment of concussion, a docudrama out christmas day about the young coroner in pittsburgh who took on the nfl, the fbi turns up. That discovery and its aftermath are the basis for jeanne marie laskas latest book, concussion. Bennet omalu, a forensic pathologist who fights against the national football league trying to suppress. Assessment of visualmotor tracking following concussion. Bennet omalu, the pathologist who first identified cte in professional football players, a discovery that challenges the existence of americas favorite sport and puts omalu in the crosshairs of footballs most powerful corporation. The real doctors behind concussion movie, bennet omalu and.
Although the biomechanics of concussion is a research area that spans many length scales, there is now substantial work across these scales that establish a coordinated approach for better understanding of concussive brain injury and how new technologies can be developed to reduce the incidence of concussion. Download pdf concussion read epub by jeanne marie laskas. Will smith stars as an american hero who took on an institution to deliver the truth. Effects are usually temporary but can include headaches, concentration problems, memory loss, balance and coordination difficulties. Bennet omalu, played by will smith, and his struggle to warn the national football league of a brain condition that he discovered in. Bennet omalu, the pathologist who made one of the most significant medical discoveries of the twentyfirst century, a discovery that challenges the existence of americas favorite sport and puts omalu in the crosshairs of footballs most powerful. Bennet omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of cte, a footballrelated brain trauma, in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known. Soon to be a major motion picture starring will smith, concussion is the riveting, unlikely story of dr. Bennet omalu, a pathologist who becomes embroiled in a. Bennet omalus battle against the nfl is classic david and goliath stuff, and jeanne marie laskas. Bennet omalu, a forensic pathologist who fights against. Omalus emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful. The doctor who inspired the movie concussion truth doesn. Concussion by peter landesman peter landesman, will smith.
The 2015 film concussion, which is nominated for an mtv movie award in the true story category, stars will smith as dr. For will smith, concussion is a step in the right direction. Traditional assessments of concussion involve subjective assessments of performance on cognitive function and balance e. Written and directed by peter landesman, concussion includes among its stars will smith, gugu mbatharaw, alec baldwin, david morse, albert brooks, and arliss howard. Jan 18, 2007 book details concussion damage in the nfl research shows that late nfl football player andre waters had brain damage. Concussions are usually caused by a direct blow to the head, but can also occur after a motor vehicle accident. Omalu will smith speaks about cte and the dangers of playing football at a nflpa conference. The truth about will smiths concussion and bennet omalu. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of concussion by jeanne marie laskas. As set out above, twm strongly suggests having students in grades ten through college read the book concussion. Waters suffered multiple concussions during his nfl career, and committed. In the film, omalu, portrayed by will smith, is the central character. It involves enforcing rules that are already on the rule book about headtohead hits and purposeful hits to the head. Taut, gripping, and gorgeously told, concussion is the stirring story of one unlikely mans decision to stand up to a multibilliondollar colossus, and to tell the world the truth.
A third of the way through, football had been mentioned only once. Five days before the movie concussion hits theaters, one of the nfls brightest young stars took a running start and launched himself headfirst at the earhole of an opponents helmet this. Will smiths latest bid for a gong, concussion, fits squarely into that bracket. The hijacking of the civilrights movement by todays black race hustlers and white liberals, all acting through the. Rebecca skloot, author of the immortal life of henrietta lacks the story of dr. All mayo clinic campuses offer baseline concussion testing, comprehensive brain health evaluations, and detailed rehabilitation, wellness and performance programs for athletes before and after they have had concussions. The film, written and directed by peter landesman and largely based on jeanne marie laskas gq article game brain, centers on dr. Book by concussion doctor is recommended reading for parents of football kids.
The real doctors behind concussion movie speak out. I share the view of many that concussion, although not without its flaws and controversies, is certainly a. Common symptoms after a concussive traumatic brain injury are headache, loss of memory amnesia and confusion. Bennet omalu, a nigerian born doctor, who, as a forensic pathologist discovered a link between repetitive football injuries and brain injury. Advance praise for concussion a gripping medical mystery and a dazzling portrait of the young scientist no one wanted to listen to. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects your brains function. The article was later expanded by laskas into a book, concussion penguin random house, 2015, and adapted into a drama film of the same name. Storyline will smith stars in concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true david vs. The movie version, starring will smith, is scheduled for a christmas day release. The current thought in finding a cure is to develop a medication that would prevent the buildup of tau proteins in the brain, which is the characteristic component of cte. Concussion by jeanne marie laskas is part true crime thriller, part medical mystery and.
Concussion movie vs true story of bennet omalu, mike webster. New york times bestseller now a major motion picture starring will smith, concussion is the riveting, unlikely story of dr. Omalu was the pathologist on duty when the body of. At a time when most football fans are gearing up for super bowl 50, the movie concussion has made itself impossible for even casual observers of the sport to ignore. W ill smiths concussion turns out to have an appropriate title. Concussion testing care at mayo clinic mayo clinic. The doctor who inspired the movie concussion truth doesnt. Oscarnominated actor will smith stars in concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the true story of forensic neuropathologist bennet. Nigeriaborn bennet omalu is perhaps an unlikely hero, a medical doctor boardcertified in four areas of pathology, anatomic, clinical, forensic, and neuropathology, and a wellrounded specialist in death.
New york times bestseller the riveting, unlikely story of dr. The real doctors behind concussion movie, bennet omalu. If you saw the film concussion, starring will smith, you know that bennet omalu is the unlikely figure. Taut, gripping, and gorgeously told, concussion is the stirring true story of one unlikely mans courageous decision to stand up to a multibilliondollar colossus bent on silencing him, and to tell the world the truth. Will smith portrays omalu in concussion, a film also based on that article, which is scheduled for release on christmas. Bennet omalu, a nigerianborn pathologist who brought the issue of brain damage in retired nfl players to the forefront, concussion is the sort of underdogstaresdown. Bennet omalus battle against the nfl is classic david and goliath stuff, and jeanne marie laskasone of my favorite writers on earth.
Concussion depicts the story of a neuropathologist, dr. Laskas serves as director of the writing program at the university of pittsburgh, where she teaches creative writing, and she lives on a horse farm in. I share the view of many that concussion, although not without its flaws and controversies, is certainly a brilliantly acted, written, and directed film. Nov 24, 2015 a maddening, wellconstructed tale of medical discovery and corporate coverup, set in morgues, laboratories, courtrooms, and football fields. Book details concussion damage in the nfl research shows that late nfl football player andre waters had brain damage. Verdict this book spins a provocative tale that is somewhat marred by an overemphasis on peripheral issues related to the trial of omalus boss cyril wecht, yet it will attract a large audience owing to the upcoming film concussion starring will smith. Bennet omalu, played in this movie by will smith, laments to his wife prema, near the final quarter of concussion. Dec 24, 2015 concussion is a football movie that goes against the grain of its genre. Concussion is a football movie that goes against the grain of its genre. Although the film claims merely to be based on real events, it has been criticized for inaccuracies. Bennet omalu, the neuropathologist portrayed by will smith in the 2015 awardnominated film concussion, may not understand one of our countrys biggest athletic obsessions, but. Dec 24, 2015 the real doctors behind concussion movie speak out.
At the climactic moment of concussion, a docudrama out christmas day about the young coroner in pittsburgh who took on the nfl, the fbi turns up. Read excerpts from the book in the atlantic and the wall street journal. In concussion, will smith is bringing the controversial true story of how one doctor discovered cte chronic traumatic encephalopathy a. Dec 24, 2015 in concussion, will smith is bringing the controversial true story of how one doctor discovered cte chronic traumatic encephalopathy a brain disease caused by the repetitive head trauma.
Aug 11, 2017 bennet omalu, the neuropathologist portrayed by will smith in the 2015 awardnominated film concussion, may not understand one of our countrys biggest athletic obsessions, but he understands. Concussion lands a solid, wellacted hit on its impressively timely subject matter, even if its traditional sports drama structure is a little too safe to deserve a fullon dance in the end zone. Bennet omalu, a nigerianborn pathologist who brought the issue of brain damage in retired nfl players to the forefront, concussion is. Jeanne marie laskas is the author of seven books, including concussion, hidden america, and the exact same moon. The nfls reaction to the concussion movie starring will. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Bennet omalu uncovers the truth about brain damage in football players who suffer repeated concussions in the course of normal play. All of the discussion questions and assignments suggested below will be helpful for students who have read the book as well as for those who have only. Will smith stars in concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true david vs. Oscarnominated actor will smith stars in concussion, a dramatic thriller based on. What i liked this book was such an unexpected surprise for me. The book affords an opportunity for students to experience nonfiction at its best. Bennet omalu will smith, the man who discovered the presence of the.
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