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Bennet Omalu has been a the forefront of concussion awareness in the US. AP/Press Association Images

The doctor who inspired Will Smith's 'Concussion' movie is convinced OJ Simpson has a brain disease

World-renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu believes OJ Simpson suffers from CTE

THE DOCTOR WHOSE discovery and exposure of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) was featured in the recent Will Smith movie Concussion has revealed that he believes OJ Simpson is suffering from the brain disease.

Dr. Bennet Omalu — a world-renowned forensic pathologist — feels so strongly that the disgraced former NFL running back is suffering from CTE that he would bet his medical licence on it.

Omalu told People Magazine that, as more information became available about the impact of repeated blows to the head, the idea that Simpson could have been suffering from the effects of CTE when he broke into a Las Vegas hotel room and stole sports memorabilia — a crime for which he is currently serving a 33-year sentence — is no longer far-fetched.

CTE can only be confirmed by a post-mortem but, even as far back as 2008, Simpson’s legal team had considered using the defence that concussions he sustained while playing American football could have contributed to his actions.

Omalu’s claims come just days after it was confirmed that CTE was found in the brain of a Super Bowl winning NFL player who died aged just 27.

Tyler Sash, a former New York Giants safety, suffered five reported concussions in his career and displayed increasingly erratic behaviour in the years before his death.

Last Autumn, research conducted by the US Department of Veteran Affairs and Boston University found evidence of CTE in 87 of 91 deceased former NFL players.

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    Mute David Staed
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    Jan 28th 2016, 7:45 PM

    It’s a bit off a sticky one this because if OJ can prove he’s got CTE which unfortunately for him he’d have to be dead to do so, but they can potentially argue that he has because off his sporting life and maybe get him off. The question is, how many other criminals like murderer’s, rapists, and peados are going to claim the same thing because they were dropped on their heads as babies. Watch the appeals roll in.

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    Mute rugbyanbeer
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    Jan 28th 2016, 11:14 PM

    He would also have to admit guilt

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    Mute Dub Cell
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    Jan 28th 2016, 7:09 PM

    This might be the beginning of the end for the NFL and could push football/soccer to the top of the sports in America which could be very interesting as there has to be some football gems to be uncovered

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    Mute Alan Kelly
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    Jan 29th 2016, 12:31 PM

    No chance. It’s the richest sports league in the world – by a mile. They’ll find a way of making it safer and carry on raking in billions every year.

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    Mute rugbyanbeer
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    Jan 29th 2016, 1:06 AM

    Ironically the introduction of helmets may have increased the rise in head injuries

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    Mute Tadgh Smith
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    Jan 29th 2016, 12:37 AM

    If he suffered even one concussion during his American football career then he has some brain damage, because concussion is by definition brain damage.

    The thing is a lot of NFL players suffer brain damage during their careers yet very few commit a violent crime let alone a murder. So even if it was found that OJ Simpson did have brain damage it would be difficult to prove that that brain injury significantly diminished his ability to act responsibily or made him more likely to commit a murder.

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    Mute Alan Kelly
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    Jan 29th 2016, 12:29 PM

    He was found not guilty of murder Tadgh.

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    Mute Don Draper
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    Jan 29th 2016, 1:36 AM

    Ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuu I’m not touching this one

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    Mute Richard F
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    Mar 4th 2016, 8:53 PM

    Jonathan sexton is fuc#ed so, lock your doors in foxrock

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