I will do my best to abstain from giving away key spoilers or writing a movie review, but let me start with saying “Concussion” is a movie every NFL fan should see.
No one quite wants to talk about concussions or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). We know a lot more than we did five years ago, but still there’s a great bit of uncertainty about what to do about it.
This movie doesn’t provide many answers, it only adds to the questions.
When I left the movie theater Thursday night, I had a burning question: Would we really let our need for entertainment and love for football threaten the lives of many young men?
I would like to think no, but honestly I’m not sure. I’ll use a line that the movie used in the credits to avoid spoilers: “The NFL owns a day of the week.”
My second question: Is there anything the NFL wouldn’t do to protect the shield?
I can’t yet give an answer to either question. I’m not well-versed enough on concussion research nor the NFL’s response to it.
“Concussion” is a movie that the NFL will absolutely hate — from the actors who portray real people like commissioner Roger Goodell to the heavily implied notion that the NFL cares more about the business than player safety.
I’ll be interested to see how athletes, specifically football players, react to the movie.
Will Smith did a great job playing Dr. Bennet Omalu, a forensic pathologist who originally discovered CTE based on research of former Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Webster.
The film says it is based on facts, and by my account, it is. Of course, there is some dramatization, but not enough Hollywood to take away from the film’s true message.
The stats at the end of the film — I won’t give any away — are eye-opening.
Americans tend to be more visual learners, so it will generate commentary around the holidays, but I doubt it will stop many from tuning in college bowl games or the NFL’s final regular-season matchups.
I rushed home from the theaters to check out just minutes after the end of the movie.
The NFL is in the process of paying out $1 billion to thousands of retired players who believe the league hid the risks of CTE and concussions during their playing days.
There is no hiding from the elephant in the room anymore. This is a must-watch, no matter what side of the issue you are on.
CHEW ON THIS
— Watch it again: to the Packers-Lions game.
— There were probably 100 forgettable moments from the last Rockies year, but .
— The last night, snapping an eight-game slide.
— The , but there was a scary moment when Erik Johnson took a skate to the mouth.
— The from their roster yesterday. (That’s a lot.)
— Broncos running back . But he’ll tell you he never lost it.
— And here’s .
WATCH THIS
High school football star Keyion Dixon closed out his prep career with .
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Burger King opened its doors for the first time 61 years ago today in Miami. So go ahead and have it your way, today.
Cameron Wolfe: 303-954-1891, cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
