Concussion - A reflection

CONCUSSION – A REFLECTION

Mario D’Couto

            For those of you who have not watched this movie, in brief, this movie is about what the game of football (not soccer) can do to those who play the game. It is a contact sport because of which it involves a lot of collision and banging heads. The interesting thing is with all the gear that a player has, he still faces severe damages especially to the head. Although I am not a follower of this sport (since I am more into soccer), even though this game could be a spectator sport, the truth has to be confronted which could hurt. This is portrayed very well in the movie as Dr. Bennet Omalu (played by Will Smith) becomes the moral conscience for the NFL. This article is a reflection based on the ongoing struggle between Dr. Omalu and the NFL which I would like to share in 2 points,

a) Wisdom can come from anywhere. All we need is an open mind to make the best of it and absorb it. It is interesting to note that in the Bible, in the book of Genesis, it is written that our first parents were naked but were not ashamed (Genesis 2:25). As long as they walked along with God, they had everything they needed. But once they felt they could walk alone (disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit), they were on their own and consequently they had to struggle. Their pride became their stumbling block.

            Children are so naïve. Although some can be violent or boisterous, no child is born bad or evil. If they become that way, it is because of the environment that they grew in. Their minds are like sponges, ready to accept anything. Because of this, there is an innate curiosity to know reality. Consequently, it is but natural that they would have a lot questions. Too often a lot of damage is done whenever we try to silence them as at times it could become a source of nuisance. As they grow older, they begin to form a conception of what reality should be and when they become adults, it solidifies. When that happens, it becomes difficult to break down and re-shape (which is why children need guidance in making the right choices for their lives).

            The point that I am trying to drive at is as long as we have the humility like that of a child, growth is possible as someone said it, “An open mind is like a river flowing where the water is fresh. A closed mind, on the other hand, is like a septic tank where the water stagnates and mosquitoes breed.” In the movie, there is a scene where Will Smith and Alec Baldwin are having this conversation, walking near Baldwin’s house. Baldwin tries to warn Smith stating that it would be a good idea to take back his findings related to the CTE (an abbreviation for chronic trauma encephalopathy) which many NFL players faced due to constant collisions, head banging or even injuries to the head or the brain. In other words, Dr. Omalu was a threat to the NFL, not forgetting that he was a Nigerian, not even an African – American. In as much as he was a threat, they were not ready to face the truth of reality and be humble enough to accept responsibility for the lives of the people who have gone into depression or have even committed suicide, which sadly, many have (this is in reference to those NFL players who have suffered because of such a phenomenon).

b) The second point follows from the first point. Despite the threats and the constant hassle form the NFL, Dr. Omalu stood his ground and never gave up. Eventually it paid off and people began to understand the effects of the CTE on the lives of the players at NFL. One scene that touched me in a special way was where Smith was asking his unborn child to pray to God and intercede for him to help him to get through those moments of struggle. Prayers do work wonders.


            Apart from that, a huge round of applause to Will Smith for doing a great job (especially the change of accent in the movie) and bringing the message across. 

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