Requiem For A Running Back

Requiem for a Running Back is a riveting and highly informative 2015 documentary that examines the severe impact of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) on the lives of professional American football players. It provides viewers with an insightful journey into the darker aspects of this beloved sport, and its aftermath on athletes, after they have left the glittering gridiron fields behind. Starring Julian Bailes, Chris Borland, and Lew Carpenter, the film is a poignant exploration of a topic that has become increasingly relevant in the discourse surrounding American Football in recent years.

Lew Carpenter, the late NFL running back for the Green Bay Packers, takes center stage as the narrative is woven around his life story. His posthumous diagnosis of CTE triggers a journey of deep personal inquiry and active discourse. The narrative is powerfully driven by his daughter, Rebecca Carpenter, who serves as the director, creates an impactful emotional core for the film.

The movie plunges into the murky depths of the health care crisis in American football, in particular discussing the complicated brain disorder, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). As the narrative takes shape, the film features interviews with neurosurgeon Julian Bailes and former player Chris Borland, whose perspectives offer deeper insight into the subject matter. With these interviews and a host of diagnostic research, the film pieces together a compelling argument about the game's health risks.

In Requiem for a Running Back, Julian Bailes pushes the conversation forward with his medical expertise, particularly in the field of neurosurgery and sports-related brain injuries. His perspective offers an authoritative eye on the science behind concussions, CTE, and other resultant disorders, providing concrete evidence for the problem the film is exploring.

Alongside Bailes is Chris Borland, a former professional football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers. His decision to retire early — after only one season in the NFL due to concerns over the long-term effects of repeated head trauma — resonates with the movie's theme. Borland's point of view gives additional credibility and emotion to the documentary, reinforcing the risks faced by players at professional levels.

Romanticism often attached to the sport is exchanged for a critical approach that delves into the darker elements of American football. Starting with Lew Carpenter's NFL career and his final days, the film expands the narrative to include the broader health risks faced by players. Lew's daughter Rebecca's journey uncovers her father's buried medical condition and reveals it to the audience, the emotional intensity is palpable.

Director Rebecca Carpenter's personal journey forms the crux of this documentary. After her father’s death, she embarks on a four-year-long journey to discover the truth about the life her father lived, and the disease that unknowingly impacted his life. She examines the risk factors that professional athletes are exposed to, and the psychological implications that these injuries can have on their later lives. Her viewpoint personalizes the far-reaching impact of this medical and sporting issue.

Requiem for a Running Back is not just about a disease or a sport; it's about legacy, family, and finding the truth. Lew Carpenter's narrative serves as the launch pad to discuss the urgent concerns of former and current professional football players and their families facing the aftermath of CTE.

Throughout the course of the film, viewers are taken on a journey of understanding CTE and its effects. From the clinical, medical perspective provided by Bailes, to the first-person viewpoint given by Borland, and the intimate family perspective indentified by Carpenter, the film offers a multi-faceted look at an issue close to the heart of American sport.

While the movie is about unearthing uncomfortable truths, it also contains a compelling narrative of resilience and hope. Beyond the tragedy and the challenges, Requiem for a Running Back is also a testament to the human spirit. Through its candid narrative and compelling storytelling, the film leaves the audience with a powerful sense of urgency and an expanded understanding of a deeply hidden crisis in American sports.