I am so happy that my client, Dr. Bennet Omalu, is the subject of a new movie, Concussion, starring Will Smith as Bennet. I helped Dr. Omalu publish his book Play Hard, Die Young back in 2008, where he introduced to the public his research on concussions and brain damage in NFL football players. When Bennet brought his book to me, I thought it was so important that I tried to find him a NY publisher, because distribution would be wider for his important research results. But no one would touch it. No one else was taking a stand at that time on the long-term danger of multiple concussions in contact sports—except Dr. Omalu. So we forged ahead. I suggested the title we used (his was long and unwieldy), and designed and produced the book for him. I also produced his second book on CTE in football players.
The NFL fought Omalu hard at that point, trying to discredit him and his research. But eventually other prominent doctors supported him and his research, and now the tide has turned. Dr. Omalu, Nigerian by birth, is a humble, honest physician with important knowledge of concussion injuries and brain damage (backed by solid evidence from brain-slice studies from many deceased NFL players and others). Anyone who has someone they care about who is playing football should read Dr. Omalu’s book.
I am happy that Dr. Omalu is finally getting the recognition he and his research deserve. The NFL tried to destroy him. But in this case, anyway, the good guy prevailed. Of course, football players still get head injuries, but now, thanks to Dr. Omalu’s persistence, the truth is out there, and that should help change some how the game is played, and how coaches (at all levels of the sport) and the NFL brass respond to concussions in players.
