x
Breaking News
More () »

"Concussion" hits home for mother and former NFL player

In the movie "Concussion", Will Smith plays Dr. Bennett Amalu, the doctor who took on the National Football League. Marian Baker of St.
Will Smith stars as Bennet Omalu in "Concussion."

In the movie "Concussion", Will Smith plays Dr. Bennett Amalu, the doctor who took on the National Football League. Marian Baker of St. Charles had her reasons for being nervous about watching the movie about the discovery of chronic traumatic encephalopathy(CTE). Baker said other family members aren't ready to see the film.

"We thought it might be too emotional."

That's because issues raised in the movie about brain damage from football hit so close to home. Baker's son, Curtis Brown, once scored three touchdowns in Mizzou's upset victory over nationally ranked Southern California. Brown went onto a 7-year career in the NFL after the Buffalo Bills drafted him in the third round in 1977. The St. Charles native experienced four documented concussions in the NFL. While still in his 50's he was diagnosed with early-onset dementia.

"He was just going downhill," said Baker.

Former Mizzou All-American Howard Richards, now the Tigers' radio analyst, routinely saw Brown at NFL alumni events and saw his decline.

"I could see from the year to year, from the time that I first met him, he was very different," said Richards. "His eyes were kind of glazed over and it took him awhile to process information."

Brown died in 2015 at the age of 60. His family donated his brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation in Boston. Boston University researchers determined Brown had Stage 4 CTE.

"He had total damage to his brain," said Baker.

Trailer: Will Smith stars in "Concussion"

Chris Nowinski is executive director of the Concussion Legacy Foundation.

"It's really sad to consider a mother getting the news that her son had Stage 4 CTE. Stage 4 is the most advanced stage of CTE and is almost always consistent with a clinical diagnosis of dementia," said Nowinski.

Howard Richards said he played football for 16 years, including 6 years in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks.

"I've had all the symptoms, the dizziness, the blurred vision, the headaches," said Richards. "I probably had over 500 concussions — certainly concussive episodes — because, as an offensive lineman, you're hitting on practically every play."

That's one of the reasons Richards is making plans to donate his brain to concussion researchers when he dies.

"Donating my brain is one way I can contribute," said Richards. "It makes you think, it makes you wonder 'What's my future like?' 'Will I be afflicted with CTE down the road?'" 

A former player and a mother are both concerned about the uncertain fate of young people who play football and risk brain damage.

"I would limit the amount of years they allow their sons to play football," said Baker. "The reason I say that is that Curtis played for 20 years and that's too long."

Before You Leave, Check This Out