The significance of football in this country cannot be overstated. The NFL is a multi-billion dollar industry. The league has its own day of the week. It is more than just a tradition. In the past, any negative views toward the NFL have quickly been shut down by not only the league but also by the fans that back it.
Concussions have a crippling power not just on the field but off it as well. What was once a “shake it off” mentality became a serious medical issue that requires significant recovery time. Prior to diagnosing concussions, they would go unnoticed, undocumented and without treatment or recovery time. The league tried to keep this under wraps in fear of criticism. Even when news broke of players having concussions, it was taboo to talk about.
Now the silence has been broken. Not only by the NFL in their confessions and new safety regulations but by Hollywood as well. This past Christmas, “Concussion” hit box offices. It stars the iconic Will Smith and attempts to convey a true story about the side effects that concussions have on the human brain. This well-written sports drama represents the reality of the dangers in football-related head trauma. It also reveals just how much power the NFL has by showing the extent they will go to keep this sensitive subject out of the hands of the public.
“Concussion” only scratches the surface of the story it tells. Hollywood adds a love story to pull on your heart strings, but it distracts the viewer’s attention from the issue at hand. According to rottentomatoes.com, critics and viewers feel the same: that the true consequence of concussions was not conveyed to the level they were hoping for. They do agree that the movie brought more awareness to the issue.
The extent that the film reaches on the topic of concussion is when Smith’s character, Dr. Bennet Omalu, conducts an autopsy on a retired NFL player who died prematurely. He notices a neurological issue similar to Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Omalu goes on to publish his discovery in hopes to raise awareness about the side effects of multiple head traumas suffered from football. The NFL discounts his findings in fear of lawsuits or rebellion by fans. With the reaction by the league, Dr. Omalu’s goal is to inform the public about his findings.
With today’s technology, less and less goes unseen by the general public. Players are starting to retire early in fear of health issues that will arise later on. These athletes have realized they worked all their lives to be successful and don’t want to sacrifice their health for a franchise. It is unacceptable.
The NFL claims that football today is safer than ever. They say they have the best doctors and more precautions in place to prevent injuries and to treat them. Is this true? Will players be able to live past retirement and live the healthy lives they deserve? Only time will tell. The battle for safety is just starting, but this film will bolster support for the cause.