Nigeria’s own Dr. Bennet Omalu who serves as the Chief Medical Examiner of San Joaquin County in California was recently honoured on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for his efforts to raise awareness of repetitive brain trauma.
Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Stockton, took the opportunity to honor Omalu, whose discoveries have highlighted the potential dangers to those who play football.
Omalu was the first medical professional to raise the alarm that repeated head trauma could lead to a degenerative brain disorder, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. He made his original discovery as a forensic pathologist in Pennsylvania.
Pathologist portrayed by Will Smith in film Concussion believes 90% of NFL players have some form of long-term head trauma. Omalu also thinks the NFL shunned him when he presented the problems to them because he is a foreigner and African-American. He is pictured center with Will Smith (left) and the director Peter Landesman (right)
Dr. Omalu is an American trained physician, forensic pathologist and neuropathologist. He was the first to publish findings of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in American football players while working at the Allegheny County Coroner’s Office in Pittsburgh.He later became chief medical examiner of San Joaquin County, California, and is a professor in the University of California, Davis, Department of Medical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.
“Recognizing Dr. Bennet Omalu’s groundbreaking medical research is particularly relevant as we prepare to watch Super Bowl 50,” McNerney said. “Since Dr. Omalu’s discovery, we now know CTE is a progressive degenerative disease that is found in people who have suffered repetitive brain trauma, including sub-concussive hits that do not show any immediate symptoms.“It is imperative, as a nation, that we support research on CTE and brain injuries to figure out how much high-impact sports are affecting the health of our children and athletes.”Omalu’s discoveries are highlighted in the recently released movie “Concussion” starring Will Smith.
The movie chronicles Omalu’s discoveries and the controversy that has been created from them, especially the NFL’s initial denial there was a problem.On the House floor, McNerney spoke about Omalu’s background, his discovery of CTE and his passion in researching it.
Dr. Omalu and family at the movie premier
“The Bennet Omalu Foundation, named after Dr. Omalu, is committed to funding research, raising awareness, providing care, and finding cures for people suffering from CTE and traumatic brain injuries,” McNerney said. “I ask my colleagues to join me inhonoring the research and achievements of Dr. Bennet Omalu and all he has done to further the understanding of the human brain. »
