Dave Duerson's family says he was incorrectly portrayed in 'Concussion'

The family of deceased Chicago Bears safety Dave Duerson believes he was incorrectly portrayed in the upcoming film "Concussion."

Duerson, a four-time Pro Bowler, died in 2011 from a self-inflicted gun shot wound, and was found to have suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a form of brain trauma that's afflicted numerous NFL players.

In the film, Duerson aggressively confronts Bennet Omalu, a doctor who reveals the dangers of CTE, and tells him to "go back to Africa."

Duerson's family disputes the veracity of the conversation, and said the former Bears star was portrayed as a villain.

"They needed a villain, someone to take the fall," Duerson's son, Tregg, said to the New York Times' Ken Belson. "And he's not here to defend himself."

Director Peter Landesman argued that specific details aren't vital in the film's accuracy.

"As we were making a feature film and not a documentary, and it’s not a Wikipedia entry, people go to movies not to digest information and data but to have an emotional experience,” Landesman said. “The movie is emotionally and spiritually accurate all the way through."

With Will Smith starring as Omalu in a film that appears to be gaining national attention, the NFL is surely bracing for the ensuing debate about concussions and player safety.