Movie Report On Concussion: American Football Drama

Synopsis

This movie is based on true events that relates with “League of Denial: The NFL's Concussion Crisis” issue. The crisis starts when Mike Webster a former NFL player was found dead in his pickup truck. Dr Bennet Omalu, a forensic neuropathologist handles Webster’s autopsy and discovers the he had severe brain damage. Dr Omalu uncovers a disease called Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

As other athletes are diagnosed with CTE, he publishes a paper on his findings hoping to enlighten the masses. NFL initially dismissed the findings and claims that the players’ brain damage was due to past injuries, having nothing to do with football. Not giving hope, Omalu and his team is on a mission to raise public awareness about the risk of head trauma caused by improper healthcare.

Stakeholders Stake(s)

Footballers death caused by CTE The death of famous footballers have provided insights to Dr Omalu’s research which eventually leads to the finding of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a dangerous disease which affects the mental health of athletes with concussion.

Actor Ethical Dilemma(s)

Villain: NFL

One of the main dilemmas confronted by the villain (NFL), is on choosing whether to tell the truth of the detrimental effect of concussions on football athletes. The NFL has proven to practice egoism in the highest order, as they themselves are the regulators of healthcare for athletes. This could lead to conflict of interest; whereby medicinal practitioners are also the ones who run the NFL business. Rising public concern is also a dilemma faced by the NFL. The American people is worried that the recent findings of CTE could affect the future of the football sport. Parents will prevent their children from joining the sport and current athletes would reconsider the harmful effect the sport could bring.

Hero: Dr Bennet Omalu

The biggest dilemma Dr Omalu has faced is on the discredit of his research and threats from large corporates. All his time and effort sacrificed in completing his work has gone to waste, as large entities such as the NFL and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has taken legal action on him, directly and indirectly. He constantly receives threat calls from strangers threatening to harm his family. The amounting stress leads to the emotional breakdown of Dr Omalu and also the miscarriage of his child. Due to this, he moved to a different city to start over and to try and leave his problems behind.

Discussions on the ethical/legal issue(s) of the movie

There are many ethical issues that we can relate from this movie involving various party.

• NFL unethically hide the truth about the effect of concussion

NFL aware that sport that their involve is risky and causing brain damage due to concussion by looking to the symptoms of former players. The athlete does not aware of their risk in the sport, risk of lost their mind, family & life. Instead of telling the risk to the athletes, NFL try to hide by denying the research of Dr Omalu. They give a statement that all the bad effect shows by the former player is nothing to do with football. NFL also threaten Dr Omalu to stop the research about concussion since it will harm the NFL’s reputation.

• FBI threaten using false accusation & information

FBI on the side of NFL threaten Dr Omalu by indict Cyril on multiple charges for supporting Bennet's work. As government agencies, they should not misuse their power for other’s interest. Besides, FBI also coming for Bennet by threatening to deport him back to Nigeria. Blackmailing someone who does not commit any crime is not an ethical act.

Discussions on the action(s) taken by the Villain from a Consequentialist point of view

In order to keep their good reputation, NFL is doing everything to hide the truth of concussion effect. If the research of Dr Omalu is publicly published, football industry overall will badly affected. They may suffer loss for losing their business activity as football may be prohibited or banned since it is badly affected the players. The players may also not interest to play anymore after they know the risk of the game. NFL will majorly be affected in this condition. They could also be convicted to legal action for ignoring the players’ welfare. In order to avoid all the consequences from happen, NFL acted by threaten Dr Omalu and his team to make them stop the research.

Discussions on the action(s) taken by the Hero from a Deontologist point of view

Dr Bennet Omalu, a charismatic forensic neuropathologist practices his duty to bring attention on the existence of CTE on athletes. When he assigned for autopsy of Mike Webster, he done his job as good as he could. However, after getting the autopsy result, he does not satisfy with the result. So, he performs another autopsy even though his department does not allow him and they refuse to give any money for the test. He performs another test with Webster’s brain and he must incur the costs himself.

Other than that, with all the challenges & obstacle that come from NFL & football fans, Dr Omalu still proceed his research with his team to perform his duties & responsibilities to bring awareness to the public. Lastly, as a husband, Dr Omalu perform his responsibilities well. After his wife miscarriage, he puts his family as priorities. He sacrifices his excellent career and moving to Lodi, California for better living from his family.