Will Smith loves football.
Smith did this, he says, not because Im a good parent.
Friday night lights are ecstasy for me.
Credit: Melinda Sue Gordon
So starring inConcussionwasnt an easy decision.
Thats tough material for a football junkie, but Smith concluded that fatherhood trumped fandom.
As a parent, the responsibility to bring this information to light was overwhelming, he says.
I almost couldnt say no.
To transform into the Nigerian-born Omalu, Smith spent months mastering the doctors demonstrative hand gestures and singular voice.
He even tricked the doctors wife for a moment.
It worked, for about eight seconds, says Smith.
To complete the look, Smith pinned back his ears and added a widows peak to his hairline.
I could walk down the street in Pittsburgh and people didnt recognize me, Smith says.
Concussionwill premiere at AFI FEST on Nov. 10 and debuts in theaters on Dec. 25.
