In the new trailer for Will Smith‘s “Concussion,” Dr. Bennet Omalu takes on the National Football League (NFL) who, according to him, knew about the issue of head trauma among NFL players but went to great lengths to keep the players in
“Tape, needles, Vicodin…” Alec Baldwin‘s character, Dr. Julian Bailes, says in a voiceover. “Whatever it takes to keep them in
The film is based on the true story of Omalu (Smith), who was the first person to diagnose NFL players with CTE, a brain condition that results from repeated head trauma. His discovery puts him at odds with the NFL, which wanted to keep Omalu’s research out of the public eye.
“The NFL has known about the concussion issue for years,” says another voiceover in the trailer.
In response to the film’s apparent criticism of the NFL, Jeff Miller, NFL Senior Vice President of Health and Safety Police told TheWrap, “We are encouraged by the ongoing focus on the critical issue of player health and safety. We have no higher priority.”
The film also stars Alec Baldwin, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Albert Brooks. Peter Landesman directed and wrote the screenplay. Veteran director Ridley Scott served as one of the producers.
“Concussion” opens in theaters on Dec. 25.