The United States of Football
The United States of Football could become the most controversial and watched exposé in sports. All who care about football and every parent with a kid in school simply must see this film, and tell everybody they know about it. It's a heartbreaking story assembled over three years by the Emmy and Peabody-winning filmmaker who rocked the sports world and made public the infamous Bountygate tapes. Sean Pamphilon's recordings turned up the volume on an industry, and revealed that some players were offered bounties to injure and specifically target opponents with a history of concussions, possibly fatally. But that was only a piece of a bigger scandal. The concerned father and filmmaker investigates the dirty secret, too-long-kept from players - an increasing incidence of brain damage, dementia, and slow death from repetitive head trauma. The United States of Football digs into the lives of fallen heroes - as once vigorous men with everything to live for, lose their minds, their functions and their lives. MRIs, autopsies and research leave little doubt that what was once called dementia pugilistica in the 1920’s was happening to today's players, and now known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy - CTE. The United States of Football ends in pain and hope. Some of our heroes wither away leaving angry and grieving families. In despair, one shoots himself in the heart–protecting his brain so that others can research and understand. And some bravely continue fighting to reform football. The United States of Football is an in-depth examination of the football coaching ranks from pee wee through the pros that asks "Who is coaching your kids?" Father, fan and filmmaker, Sean Pamphilon made the documentary the NFL doesn't want you to see. It will hit you with the force of 100G's to the head.
Starring Bob Costas, Frank Deford, Mike Ditka
Director Sean Pamphilon