How The NFL Is Like Big Tobacco, According To Author Who Inspired 'Concussion' Movie
BOSTON (CBS) -- Jeanne Marie Laskas, whose GQ expose inspired her book Concussion and the movie of the same name starring Will Smith, talked with Toucher & Rich Friday morning about her work with Dr. Bennet Omalu, who discovered CTE while researching the brain of deceased NFL player Mike Webster. Laskas discovered Dr. Omalu's work early in his research, which has led to controversial behind-the-scenes battles with the NFL.
Laskas described to Toucher & Rich how the NFL has abused its power to discredit Omalu's work, rather than work with him to fix the concussion problem, which is the basis for much of her GQ story and Concussion book. She compared their practices to that of Big Tobacco, which tried to control the conversation around the science of their products.
Laskas believes that the NFL needs to change its ways to save the game, which could see a sharp decline in participation in the wake of concussion concerns.
"I would love to see this game be saved, and I think that's what this conversation really is about," said Laskas. "We all know now. The NFL obviously knows now, and frankly they've been duping us, the fans, and they've been duping their own players. It's ridiculous ... We're listening to [the NFL] to lead the science? It's like listening to the tobacco industry to lead us in understanding cigarettes. That's just messed up."
Though Laskas believes the NFL is being disingenuous and greedy in its attempts to "silence" Dr. Omalu and other research on concussions, she stopped short of calling them "evil." She doesn't believe that there's any actual malice going on; she believes they're just protecting their business interests, just like any conglomerate would do.
"I don't think they're trying to hurt anyone; I think they're trying to protect their gigantic $10 billion industry," said Laskas.
Laskas believes there are ways to improve awareness and knowledge of concussions and CTE, and use their work to improve the safety of players rather than repress the harsh truths about football and brain injuries.
"We need to listen to independent scientists who can figure this out, who can come up with an understanding of this in a living person, who can learn to cure it for that matter," she said. "But instead we've for the NFL ducking and dodging and that's just got to stop. We need to have this conversation now."
Listen to the full interview below:
