Dr. Bennet Ifekandu Omalu on Saturday May 7 bagged an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Xavier University of Louisiana. He shared the good news on Facebook, writing:
“Got an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Xavier University of Louisiana today. I am deeply grateful and thankful”
Dr. Omalu is a Nigerian forencic pathologist and medical examiner who was first to discover and publish findings of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) while conducting autopsy on former Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Wenster in 2002.
Webster had died suddenly and unexpectedly, following years of struggling with cognitive and intellectual impairment, destitution, depression and suicide attempts. Although his brainlooked normal at autopsy, Omalu conducted independent and sel-financed tissue analysis.
Omalu fought against efforts by National Football League to suppress his research on the brain damage suffered by professional football players.
Will Smith portrayed him in the movie “Concussion” which depicts the 47-year-old doctor’s efforts to publicize CTE.
Photos from the ceremony and another of him as a little boy.
