'Concussion' is a movie based off real life data related to traumatic brain injuries. On multiple occasions the NFL has had run ins with Dr. Bennet Omalu who claims to have found a degenerative brain disease with a direct link to football.
The disease is called CTE, which stands for chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain found in athletes (and others) with a history of repetitive brain trauma including asymptomatic subconcussive hits to the head.
The second half of the movie deals with this issue in a direct and simple manner, portraying many of Omalu's run-ins with the NFL.
Here is the trailer.
Dr. Julian Bailes is another doctor represented in the movie. He was on ESPN's TV/radio show Mike and Mike and here is what he had to say on the issue.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=14334002
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=14334037&categoryid=2850689
Bailes notes that to his knowledge there have been 6 deaths in high school football this past season due to brain injuries. He said that many aspects of life bring risk including teaching kids how to bike, swim, play sports etc. He believes that parents have a job to present their children with those risks.
And while some concussions may occur at a young age the majority of them do not begin until high school when students grow into their body.
PBS made a production similar to the movie called 'League of Denial,' which also does a great job of portraying the war on concussions.
The movie premieres Christmas Day and it will be interesting to see how the NFL responds
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