'Concussion' Truths Forced Will Smith to Confront Feelings for Football, NFL

The script for the movie Concussion landed in the hands of actor Will Smith. Smith's first reaction was one that he didn't expect.

"I was actually repelled," he said in a phone interview, "before I was drawn to it."

Smith described this inner battle with loving football the way he did and the fact football may actually be physically damaging to the long-term health of the mind. This is, in fact, the core of the movie, which opens on Christmas—the conflict of adoring something that potentially may be harmful.

Smith read that script and the conflict was like a punch to the gut. After all, his experience with football could not have been more enjoyable. Smith's son, Trey, played football at Oaks…