Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Dr. Bennet Omalu

What is a concussion? It is an injury to the brain resulting from an impact to the head. This brain damage happened to many professional American football players. 

                                                             (Courtesy: Yahoo)

Dr. Bennet Omalu was a Neuropathologist in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA. An American football player suddenly died. Dr. Omalu did the autopsy. He decided that the player died as a result of severe brain damage caused by repeated blows to the head while playing football. Dr. Omalu called it Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). 

Dr.Omalu published a paper on his findings but the NFL (National Football League) would not accept that. NFL is a powerful organization. Finally, he persuaded the NFL Commissioner to allow him to give a presentation on the subject. However, he was not allowed to do the presentation. His colleague had to give the presentation. 

Dr. Omalu was subjected to lot of pressures in his efforts. But, he stood up to the powerful and the mighty for his cause. Meantime, the NFL Players Association agreed with him. Finally the NFL was forced to take concussion issue more seriously. 

He is now the Chief Medical Examiner for the San Joaquin County (District)  in California. His struggle was made into a movie titled “Concussion” in 2015, starring Will Smith (as Dr. Omalu) and Alec Baldwin. 

I did not know all these details until the movie came out. Two years ago, we met Dr. Bennet Omalu and his wife Prema in a get together at a friend’s home. Bennet and Prema are very nice couple. We (me and my wife) like them.

They are from Nigeria. We were curious. Asked the wife the reason for the Indian name Prema. She said her great grand mother was from Salem, Tamil Nadu. She said she is named after her.

27 comments:

  1. Glad that all his efforts didn't get wasted and it was finally recognized

    Good one SG. You always manage to share such amazing stories.

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    1. Thanks for your comments Dee. And, thanks for the complements.

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  2. I'm really eager to watch the movie, thanks for sharing this info!

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    1. Thanks for your comments Dachu. Please watch the movie. It is good.

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  3. Didn't know about Dr. Omalu. There are still few people left like him who persuade and believe and succeed.

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    1. Thanks for your comments Insignia. Dr. Omalu is a role model for everyone.

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  4. If it's a Will Smith movie, I'd love to see it. I guess people need to fight hard for reforms, and that seems to be universal!

    Destination Infinity

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    1. Thanks for your comments Rajesh. Yes, that seems to be universal.

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  5. oh I had heard about the movie, but did not the story behind it. Now I must watch the movie then. Such a great man!

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    1. Thanks for your comments Ash. He is a great man. It is a good movie.

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  6. I will search for this movie today definitely! You have brought in a nice story and it is sad to know that NFL players face such injuries and death. I didnt know that!!!

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  7. Thanks for your comments Shesha. Please watch the movie and let me know what you think. Thanks.

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  8. Thank God!His effort did bear fruit. NFL might have been thinking of the profit and popularity.Good info.

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    1. Thanks for your comments Sarala. Yes, indeed his effort did bear fruit.

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  9. Boxers injuries are a common cause of brain atrophy and hemorrhage. I guess football gets added to the list.
    Somehow I'm not fond of biopics, since the audience already knows the happy/inspiring end.
    But if movies are the route to give recognition to certain pioneers, so be it. :)

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    1. Thanks for your comments Sweety. Even with helmets, American Football players get injuries.

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  10. I didn't know much details about this Doctor. Though I must have read about him a bit but did not register in my mind. Only the name is familiar. Now, I must watch the movie.

    Good to know that they are your friends. Nice people!

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    1. Thanks for your comments Sandhya. We met them once. That is all.

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  11. Interesting... More interesting to note the name Prema and the fact that her great grandmother belonged to Salem... World is so small!

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    1. Thanks for your comments Satya. Indeed, the world is very small.

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  12. Have heard about Concussion but was not aware of the pioneering work of Dr Omalu. Goes on to prove that self belief, perseverance leads to achieving success.

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    1. Thanks for your comments Shilpa. I am glad you liked this post.

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  13. Thanks for sharing . I will surely watch the movie

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    1. Thanks for your comments Rama. Please watch this movie.

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  14. Success stories of such achievers are inspirational. Right article to start with a day, thanks for sharing energy, SG. Tc, keep smiling :-)

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    1. Thanks for your comments Sindhu. I am glad you liked this post.

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