Is the movie Concussion (2015) based on a true story?

Yes, the movie Concussion is based on the true story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, a Nigerian forensic pathologist who discovered the link between football-related head trauma and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in American football players.

What is the true story behind the movie Concussion (2015)?

Concussion is a biographical drama film released in 2015 that details the story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, a Nigerian-American forensic pathologist who discovered a link between brain damage and football-related head injuries.

In the early 2000s, Dr. Omalu was working in Pittsburgh when he performed an autopsy on the brain of former Pittsburgh Steelers’ center Mike Webster. Webster had gone through a protracted period of erratic behavior, including sleeping in bus depots and cutting off parts of his own body. Omalu initially found nothing remarkable about the former player’s brain, but he noticed that he was affected with a particular kind of dementia called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

Omalu continued to investigate and found that several other former football players also suffered from CTE. Over time, he found evidence to support his theory that repeated concussions could lead to long-term brain damage. However, he faced significant pushback from the NFL, which went so far as to commission doctors to write articles questioning the validity of his research.

Despite the opposition, Dr. Omalu continued to speak publicly about the dangers of football-related head injuries. His work contributed to a broader conversation around concussions and ultimately led to changes in how the NFL and other sports leagues deal with head injuries.

Are there any books about the true story behind the movie Concussion (2015)?

Yes, there are several books about the true story behind the movie Concussion (2015):

1. “League of Denial: The NFL, Concussions and the Battle for Truth” by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru. This book provides an in-depth investigation into the NFL’s handling of the concussion crisis and the efforts of scientists to uncover the link between football and brain damage.

2. “Concussion” by Jeanne Marie Laskas. This book tells the story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, the forensic pathologist who discovered chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and fought to make the NFL acknowledge the link between football and brain damage.

3. “The Concussion Crisis: Anatomy of a Silent Epidemic” by Linda Carroll and David Rosner. This book explores the history and science behind concussions and CTE, and delves into the controversies surrounding the NFL’s response to the crisis.

4. “Counting the Days While My Mind Slips Away: A Love Letter to My Family” by Ben Utecht. This memoir chronicles the journey of former NFL player Ben Utecht, who was forced to retire due to multiple concussions and is now dealing with the long-term effects of brain damage.

All of these books provide a deeper understanding of the events and people depicted in the movie Concussion.

You can try an audible free trial and search for audiobook versions of those