Storyline
In 2002, former Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Webster is found dead in his pickup truck. Bennet Omalu, a forensic pathologist with the Allegheny County, Pennsylvania coroner's office, handles Webster's autopsy, and discovers that he has severe brain damage. He ultimately determines that Webster died as a result of the long-term effects of repeated blows to the head—a disorder he calls chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). With the help of former Steelers team doctor Julian Bailes, fellow neurologist Steven T. DeKosky and county coroner Cyril Wecht, Omalu publishes a paper on his findings, which is initially dismissed by the NFL.
Over the next few years, Omalu discovers that three other deceased former NFL players, Terry Long, Justin Strzelczyk and Andre Waters, had symptoms very similar to Webster's. He finally persuades newly appointed NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to present his findings before a committee on player safety. However, the NFL doesn't take Omalu seriously; they don't even allow him to be in the room for the presentation, forcing Bailes to give it for him.
Omalu is subjected to considerable pressure to back down from his efforts. Wecht is subjected to a politically motivated prosecution on corruption charges. Omalu's wife, Prema, suffers a miscarriage after being stalked. The Omalus are forced to leave their dream home outside Pittsburgh. They move to Lodi, California; where Omalu takes a job with the San Joaquin County coroner's office. However, he is vindicated when former NFL Players Association executive Dave Duerson commits suicide due to growing cognitive problems; in his suicide note, Duerson admits that Omalu was right. Omalu is allowed to address an NFLPA conference on concussions and CTE. Amid growing scrutiny from Congress, the NFL is forced to take the concussion issue more seriously.
Omalu is offered a job as chief medical examiner for the District of Columbia, but turns it down in order to continue working hands-on with autopsies.
Cast
Will Smith as Dr. Bennet Omalu,
Alec Baldwin as Dr. Julian Bailes,
Albert Brooks as Dr. Cyril Wecht,
Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Prema Mutiso,
David Morse as Mike Webster,
Arliss Howard as Dr. Joseph Maroon,
Mike O'Malley as Daniel Sullivan,
Eddie Marsan as Dr. Steven DeKosky,
Hill Harper as Christopher Jones,
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Dave Duerson,
Stephen Moyer as Dr. Ron Hamilton,
Richard T. Jones as Andre Waters,
Paul Reiser as Dr. Elliot Pellman,
Luke Wilson as Roger Goodell,
Sara Lindsey as Gracie,
Matthew Willig as Justin Strzelczyk,
Bitsie Tulloch as Keana Strzelczyk,
Eme Ikwuakor as Amobi Okoye,
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