Pitt announces foundation named for 'Concussion' doctor

The forensic pathologist portrayed by actor Will Smith in the upcoming big-budget movie “Concussion” is collaborating with the University of Pittsburgh to advance research on traumatic brain injuries and dementia.

The Bennet Omalu Foundation will focus on the continued study and understanding of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a degenerative brain disease resulting from repeated blows to the head.

The foundation will fund research, foster awareness and work to find cures for people with CTE and other brain injuries, Pitt said.

Omalu, a former Allegheny County deputy coroner, will be in Pittsburgh on Tuesday to announce the foundation's formation prior to a private screening of the film at SouthSide Works Cinema. Pitt Chancellor Patrick Gallagher is scheduled to attend.

Omalu discovered evidence linking football-related brain injuries to CTE while examining former Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Webster's brain after his death.

While working at the coroner's office, Omalu chronicled his findings in the medical journal Neurosurgery.

Instead of heralding him for discovering CTE, the National Football League initially rebuked Omalu, whose findings eventually covered more than a dozen players, including former Steelers Justin Strzelczyk and Terry Long.

Omalu is chief medical examiner of San Joaquin County, Calif.

He made national headlines last week for penning an editorial for The New York Times, titled “Don't Let Kids Play Football.”

“We should at least wait for our children to grow up, be provided with the information and education on the risk of play and let them make their own decisions,” Omalu wrote. “No adult, not a parent or a coach, should be allowed to make this potentially life-altering decision for a child.”

Ben Schmitt is a Trib Total Media staff writer. Reach him at 412-320-7991 or bschmitt@tribweb.com.