Bennet Omalu, M.D.
On February 16, 2016 at 7 p.m., Dr. Bennet Omalu, the first doctor to discover and identify the disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), will lecture at the Lifelong Learning Society in Jupiter. As narrated in the upcoming film “Concussion” (starring Will Smith), Dr. Omalu’s story is one of great triumph in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds. He was born in 1968 in Eastern Nigeria during the civil war. His family lived as refugees while his town was under constant fire by the Nigerian Air Force. Despite suffering war-related under-nutrition in the first two years of his life, Omalu would go on to attend medical school at age 15 and become a physician by age 21. [i]
In 2002, he made a career breakthrough when he became the first doctor to discover and identify chronic brain damage as a major factor in the deaths of some professional athletes. He called the disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), which he first discovered as the result of an autopsy he performed on Mike Webster—one of the best Centers in NFL history. “Iron Mike,” the legendary Pittsburgh Steeler and Hall of Famer, died at age 50, his brain revealing something doctors had never seen before. Webster had died suddenly and unexpectedly, following years of struggling with cognitive and intellectual impairment, destitution, mood disorders, depression, drug abuse and suicide attempts. Within five years of reporting on Webster’s case, Dr. Omalu went on to identify CTE in eight more deceased NFL players. He was also the first to discover CTE in military veterans diagnosed with PTSD, as well as professional wrestlers. But his findings were summarily dismissed—and even ridiculed—by his professional peers, the NFL and the sports industry. The NFL even made a concerted effort to retract Dr. Omalu’s published papers. But he stood his ground in search of the truth.[ii]
Left-to-right: Will Smith, Dr. Bennet Omalu and Peter Landesman (writer and director of “Concussion”).
Today, Dr. Omalu’s findings have transformed neuroscience, sports medicine and safety, the study of all types of brain trauma and the entire sports industry. In 2015, Omalu’s life and work will be chronicled in a book and film, both titled “Concussion.” The book was released in November 2015 and Will Smith will portray Dr. Bennet Omalu in the film, which hits theaters Christmas Day, 2015.
Dr. Omalu was awarded a WebMD Health Heroes 2015 award for his discovery of CTE and raising awareness of the disease. Health Heroes awards are given to those who do great things to help others live healthier, better lives.[iii]
“Concussion” by Jeanne Marie Laskas.
“Play Hard, Die Young: Football Dementia, Depression, and Death” by Bennet Omalu, M.D.
Kami Barrett is the Associate Director of the Lifelong Learning Society in Jupiter and is responsible for public relations and community outreach. She received a bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and English from Florida State University and a Master of Arts in communication and a Master of Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University. She has worked for the Lifelong Learning Society in Jupiter for more than eight years and is the Palm Beach chapter president of the Public Relations Society of America.
[i] Greater Talent Network
[ii] Bennet Omalu Pathology
[iii] Greater Talent Network
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This promises to be one of the most important lectures ever presented at FAU Lifelong Learning. Anyone who has a child or grandchild who participates in sports should attend this potentially life-saving lecture.