Cause by those who have received repetitive brain trauma, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain disease. Most often this is found in athletes who have participated in high impact, high contact sports.

Dr. Bennet Omalu first discovered this brain disease while performing an autopsy on former Pittsburgh Steelers Center, Mike Webster. Dr. Omalu’s discovery has since shed alarming light on the danger of contact sports. This discovery was not received with praise and recognition; rather, Dr. Omalu has been scrutinized and belittled.

Despite the push back, Dr. Omalu knows that his discovery is based on truth, God’s truth.

“What God is teaching us through science is that when you expose your head to repeated blows in whatever human activity, there is a 100% risk exposure to brain damage. Science has shown us that if a child plays football for even one season, that child could have permanent brain damage. If a child plays even one football game as an offensive linesman, he receives about 62 blows to his head in just one game.”

We have a choice to make, especially in regards to our children.

“God has given us the gift of life in our children, when a man and a woman conceive a child, God invites us in and gives us the gift of His life and His Spirit. It is our duty as the sons and daughters of Mighty God to preserve that gift in our children.”

“Will we take that gift and intentionally expose our children to brain damage that will rob our children of their intelligence and intellect? Will we deny them that gift of God?”

According to Dr. Omalu, when we allow our children to be exposed to brain damage, we are undermining the gift God has given us.

“Knowing what we know today, there is no justifiable reason why a child under the age of 18, should continue to play the high impact, high contact sports. Over the centuries, science has established that playing these sports causes brain damage.”

God has given us the gift of life in our children and ourselves. He has given us the responsibility to steward all life in a way that is honoring to Him.


Dr.  Bennet Omalu is a Nigerian-American physician, forensic pathologist and neuropathologist who was the first to publish findings of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in American Football players.  He is the chief medical examiner of San Joaquin County, California, and a clinical professor at University of California, Davis.  Will Smith plays him in the major motion picture, Concussion.

Key Scripture: Romans 8:28-37

Featured Songs:The War is Over – Bethel; God, I Look to You – Bethel Live; This We Know – Passion

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