Editing Christopher Nowinski

{{short description|American neuroscientist and professional wrestler}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2015}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Christopher Nowinski
| image              = Chris_nowinski.jpg
| alt                = 
| caption            = Nowinski in 2005
| birth_name         = Christopher John Nowinski
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1978|9|24}}<ref name=OWOW>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/chris-nowinski/|title=Chris Nowinski|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=June 27, 2007|archive-date=June 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622174725/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/chris-nowinski|url-status=live}}</ref>
| birth_place        = [[Oak Park, Illinois]], U.S.<ref name=OWOW/>
| occupation         = Co-founder and CEO of Concussion Legacy Foundation<br>Author<br>Professional wrestler
| years_active       = 2001–2003 (professional wrestling)
| notable_works      = ''Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis''
| alma_mater         = [[Harvard University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|AB]])<br>[[Boston University]] ([[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]])
| spouse             = Nicole Roderman (married 2013–present)
| module             = {{Infobox professional wrestler|child=yes
|names       = Chris Harvard<ref name=OWOW/><br />Chris Nowinski<br />Christopher Nowinski<ref name=OWOW/><br />Harvard Chris<ref name="Almanac2002Stats">{{cite news|title=Statistics for Professional wrestlers|work=PWI Presents: 2002 Wrestling Almanak and book of facts|publisher=Kappa Publications|id=2000 Edition|pages=62–74}}</ref>
|height      = 6 ft 5 in<ref name=Encyclopedia>{{cite book|title=WWE Encyclopedia|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|page=[https://archive.org/details/wweencyclopediad0000shie/page/63 63]|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley|DK]]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-7566-4190-0|url=https://archive.org/details/wweencyclopediad0000shie/page/63}}</ref>
|weight      = 270 lb<ref name=Encyclopedia/>
|billed      =
|trainer     = [[Al Snow]]<ref name=OWOW/><br/>[[Killer Kowalski]]<ref name="Almanac2002Stats"/><br>[[Tazz]]<ref name=OWOW/>
|debut       = June 29, 2001<ref name="Almanac2002Stats"/>
|retired     = July 12, 2003
}}
}}
 
'''Christopher John Nowinski''' (born September 24, 1978) is an American [[neuroscientist]], author and retired [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]]. After extensively researching [[concussions in American football]], Nowinski co-founded the Concussion Legacy Foundation, where he is currently CEO and co-founded [[Boston University]]'s CTE Center.<ref>{{cite news |title=Campus and Alumni News - Head Games |url=http://www.bu.edu/cte/files/2012/06/Head-Games-Summer-2010.pdf |access-date=8 May 2020 |issue=Summer 2010 |publisher=Boston University School of Medicine |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516041446/http://www.bu.edu/cte/files/2012/06/Head-Games-Summer-2010.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> As a professional wrestler, he is best known for his tenure with [[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE).

==Early life and education==
Nowinski attended [[John Hersey High School]] in [[Arlington Heights, Illinois]], serving as team [[Captain (sports)|captain]] of the football and basketball teams.<ref name="book">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/20086196/?clipping_id=116674380|title=WWF wrestler will get in the ring with literature Sunday|work=[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois)|Daily Herald]]|date=November 20, 2001|access-date=January 17, 2023|page=109|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> He graduated [[cum laude]] from [[Harvard University|Harvard]] with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in [[sociology]] in 2000.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chronicle.com/article/harvard-man/|title=Harvard Man|work=[[The Chronicle of Higher Education]]|first=Will|last=Potter|date=March 14, 2003|access-date=January 17, 2023}}</ref> Nowinski played [[college football]] for the [[Harvard Crimson football|Crimson]] as a [[defensive tackle]], earning second-team All-[[Ivy League]] honors.<ref name=book/> He worked as a pharmaceutical and biotech consultant in [[Boston]] shortly after graduation.<ref name=book/>

In 2017, he graduated with a Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience from [[Boston University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chrisnowinski.com/meet-chris/|title=MEET CHRIS {{!}} Chris Nowinski|access-date=2020-03-25|archive-date=March 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325033108/http://chrisnowinski.com/meet-chris/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine |last=Morris |first=Alex |date=2023-09-09 |title=They Played Football as Children. Now Their Families Mourn |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/cte-impact-young-football-players-1234804580/ |access-date=2024-08-28 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>  He decided to study [[behavioral neuroscience]] after a 2003 head injury caused multiple symptoms, including a three-year-long [[headache]].<ref name=":1" />

==Professional wrestling career==
===Early career (2001–2002)===
Nowinski did not begin watching wrestling until his senior year of college.<ref name=book/> After graduating from Harvard, he joined [[Killer Kowalski]]'s wrestling school in [[Malden, Massachusetts]].<ref name=book/> Nowinski became one of the three finalists on WWE's (at the time trading as WWF) first season of ''[[WWE Tough Enough|Tough Enough]]'', which [[Maven Huffman]] won. After failing to win the competition, Nowinski made appearances in independent promotions in Massachusetts before being hired by WWF and entering its developmental territories.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Constable|first=Al|title=Squared Circle: Who Was Really Tough Enough?|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/452927-squared-circle-who-was-really-tough-enough|access-date=2020-06-26|website=Bleacher Report|language=en|archive-date=June 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628231806/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/452927-squared-circle-who-was-really-tough-enough|url-status=live}}</ref> Nowinski competed as Chris Harvard, capitalizing on his status as an alumnus of Harvard University.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hohler|first=Bob|title=Ex-wrestlers say one of their own sells them short - The Boston Globe|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2016/06/11/cozy-ties-between-concussion-foundation-and-wwe-cause-concerns/QNUhqzfn79EUPcB5GIH7nK/story.html|access-date=2020-06-26|website=BostonGlobe.com|language=en-US|archive-date=August 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812160726/https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2016/06/11/cozy-ties-between-concussion-foundation-and-wwe-cause-concerns/QNUhqzfn79EUPcB5GIH7nK/story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Nowinski made his first major independent appearance in London, UK for the [[Frontier Wrestling Alliance]] promotion at its ''Lights Camera Action'' show on December 14, 2001. Nowinski competed in its main event teaming up with [[Alex Shane]] to defeat [[Drew McDonald (wrestler)|Drew McDonald]] and Flash Barker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=00003516|title=FWA Lights Camera Action|author=Philip Kreikenbohm|publisher=Cagematch.net|access-date=October 26, 2014|archive-date=November 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109212742/http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=00003516|url-status=live}}</ref> Though this was the only show Nowinski did for the promotion, he regards it as the best promotion he has ever worked for outside of WWE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chrisharvard.net/undated.html |title=ChrisHarvard.net: Previous Ask Chris Questions |publisher=Chrisharvard.net |access-date=October 26, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828011509/http://www.chrisharvard.net/undated.html |archive-date=August 28, 2008 }}</ref> In early 2002 he continued to work in the independents throughout the States and [[Heartland Wrestling Association]] in Ohio.

===World Wrestling Entertainment (2002–2003)===
[[File:Chrisharvard.jpg|thumb|Nowinski at a WWE [[house show]] in September 2002]]
{{BLP sources section|date=August 2014}}
On the June 10, 2002, episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'', Nowinski debuted in WWE as a heel, helping [[William Regal]] beat [[John Layfield|Bradshaw]] in a [[WWE European Championship|European Championship]] match.<ref name=":0" /> Nowinski had a short-lived alliance with Regal, defeating [[Spike Dudley]] in his debut match the following week with Regal in his corner.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The SmarK RAW Rant – June 17 2002|url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/the-smark-raw-rant-june-17-2002/|access-date=2020-06-26|website=411Mania|language=en-US|archive-date=June 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628002801/https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-smark-raw-rant-june-17-2002/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nowinski teamed with Regal on the June 24 episode of ''Raw'', defeating Bradshaw and Dudley.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The SmarK RAW Rant – June 24 2002|url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/the-smark-raw-rant-june-24-2002/|access-date=2020-06-26|website=411Mania|language=en-US|archive-date=June 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629185123/https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-smark-raw-rant-june-24-2002/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nowinski continued to feud with Bradshaw over the next few weeks, with their feud ending on the July 8 episode of ''Raw'', where Nowinski teamed with [[Jackie Gayda]] in a losing effort against Bradshaw and [[Trish Stratus]], while also trying to warm up Regal from his breakdown after he lost the European Championship to [[Jeff Hardy]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The SmarK RAW Rant – July 8 2002|url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/the-smark-raw-rant-july-8-2002/|access-date=2020-06-26|website=411Mania|language=en-US|archive-date=June 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628030147/https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-smark-raw-rant-july-8-2002/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nowinski feuded with [[The Dudley Boyz]] ([[Bubba Ray Dudley]] and Spike Dudley) through the summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/chris-nowinski-358.html?year=2002 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223092434/http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/chris-nowinski-358.html?year=2002 |archive-date=February 23, 2023 |title=Chris Nowinski during 2002 |work=The Internet Wrestling Database |year=2002 |access-date=February 23, 2023}}</ref>

Nowinski defeated [[Tommy Dreamer]] on the September 9 episode of ''Raw''. A week later, Dreamer attacked Nowinski in a classroom. Their feud ended on the October 14 episode of ''Raw'', where Nowinski was once again successful in defeating Dreamer. Over the next few weeks, Nowinski claimed victories over Jeff Hardy and [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]] before starting a feud with his former Tough Enough trainer, [[Al Snow]]. On the November 25 episode of ''Raw'', Nowinski went against Maven in a match that ended in a no contest. Nowinski teamed with [[D'Lo Brown]] to defeat Snow and Maven on two occasions. Nowinski continued his feud with Maven into 2003, where [[Test (wrestler)|Test]] aligned himself with Maven for a few weeks, successfully defeating Nowinski and Brown on January 13, 2003, episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/news/1042517288.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415075924/https://www.wrestleview.com/news/1042517288.shtml |archive-date=April 15, 2021 |title=Full WWE RAW Results - 1/13/03 (Vince makes an announcement) |work=WrestleView |last=Barrett |first=Michael |date=January 13, 2003 |access-date=February 23, 2023}}</ref>

Nowinski competed in his first-ever [[Royal Rumble (2003)|Royal Rumble]] match in 2003, entering at #3. During the match [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] and [[Rey Mysterio]] performed a double missile dropkick on Nowinski, but a mistimed execution caused Edge to land on Nowinski's head that caused his subsequent [[post-concussion syndrome]] later in his career.

Also from February to April 2003, Nowinski made appearances in WWE's developmental territory [[Ohio Valley Wrestling]].

On the March 31 episode of ''Raw'', Nowinski was defeated by [[Scott Steiner]]. The feud come to an end on the May 12 episode of ''Raw'', where Nowinski teamed with [[La Résistance (professional wrestling)|La Résistance]] ([[René Duprée]] and [[Sylvain Grenier]]) in a losing effort against Steiner, Test and [[Goldust]]. On the May 26 episode of ''Raw'', Nowinski aligned himself with ''Thuggin' And Buggin' Enterprises'', an African American wrestling stable consisting of [[Rodney Mack]], [[Jazz (wrestler)|Jazz]] and their manager [[Theodore Long]]. At [[Insurrextion (2003)|Insurrextion]], Nowinski teamed with Mack and Long in a losing effort against [[The Dudley Boyz]] (Bubba Ray Dudley, [[Devon Hughes|D-Von Dudley]] and Spike Dudley). At [[WWE Bad Blood (2003)|Bad Blood]], Nowinski and Mack defeated Bubba Ray and D-Von. Nowinski wrestled his final televised match, due to him sustaining post-concussion syndrome, on the June 23 episode of ''Raw'', in a losing effort against Maven. His last match was on July 12 teaming with Rodney Mack defeating [[Rosey (wrestler)|Rosey]] and [[Tommy Dreamer]] at a house show in Green Bay, Wisconsin.<ref>{{cite web |title=Events Database - WWE Raw House Show|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=24162 |website=Cage Match |access-date=October 13, 2024|quote=12.7.2003}}</ref> After a full year of post-concussion symptoms he chose to retire from wrestling.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/01/26/athlete.brains/index.html|title=Dead athletes' brains show damage from concussions|work=CNN|date=January 27, 2009|access-date=January 27, 2009|archive-date=January 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107181426/http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/01/26/athlete.brains/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Writing career==
[[File:Chris Nowinski.jpg|thumb|Nowinski appearing at the [[Killer Kowalski]] Memorial Show in 2008]]
Following his wrestling career, Nowinski authored ''Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis'' in 2006, which examined the long-term effects of head trauma among athletes, and also became a [[Head Games (film)|documentary]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nowinski |first1=Christopher |title=Head Games : Football's Concussion Crisis from the NFL to Youth Leagues |date=October 1, 2006 |publisher=Drummond Pub. Group |isbn=978-1597630139 |edition=1st }}</ref> ''The Lancet'' said "the book sent shockwaves through the National Football League (NFL)" and details his career-ending injury and discusses the dangers of concussions in football and other contact sports; the book includes stories from [[National Football League]] (NFL) players and fellow wrestlers, and has an introduction written by former [[governor of Minnesota]] and professional wrestler, [[Jesse Ventura]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=Head Games |journal=The Lancet |date=July 2012 |volume=11 |issue=Neurology |page=577 |doi=10.1016/S1474-4422(12)70150-3 |s2cid=54399914 |url=https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/laneur/PIIS1474-4422(12)70150-3.pdf |access-date=8 May 2020 |last1=Ranscombe |first1=Peter |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516041447/https://secure.jbs.elsevierhealth.com/action/cookieAbsent |url-status=live }}</ref>

Later that year, Nowinski initiated an inquiry into the suicide of [[Andre Waters]], a 44-year-old former NFL [[defensive back]] who shot himself on November 20, 2006. Waters had sustained several [[concussion]]s over his career, and at Nowinski's behest, Waters' family agreed to send pieces of his brain to be tested. [[Bennet Omalu]], a [[pathologist]] at the [[University of Pittsburgh]] announced that "the condition of Waters' brain tissue was what would be expected in an 85-year-old man, and there were characteristics of someone being in the early stages of [[Alzheimer's disease|Alzheimer's]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2734941|title=Pathologist says Waters' brain tissue had deteriorated|date=January 18, 2007|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=October 26, 2014|archive-date=October 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026174643/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2734941|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/18/sports/football/18waters.html |title=Expert Ties Ex-Player's Suicide to Brain Damage |work=The New York Times |first=Alan |last=Schwarz |date=January 18, 2007 |access-date=February 21, 2017 |archive-date=January 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126012809/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/18/sports/football/18waters.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin |url-status=live }}</ref>

Nowinski played a role in the discovery of the fourth case of [[chronic traumatic encephalopathy]] (CTE) in a former NFL football player, former [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] offensive lineman [[Justin Strzelczyk]], who was killed in an automobile crash in 2004 at age 36.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nflretirees.blogspot.com/2007/06/lineman-dead-at-36-exposes-brain.html|title=Lineman dead at 36|publisher=Nflretirees.blogspot.com|access-date=September 5, 2007|archive-date=November 2, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102055850/http://nflretirees.blogspot.com/2007/06/lineman-dead-at-36-exposes-brain.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Julian Bailes, the chairman of the department of neurosurgery at [[West Virginia University]] and the Steelers' team [[neurosurgeon]] during Strzelczyk's career, insisted to Nowinski over a phone conversation that he thought Strzelczyk's death, which was precipitated by strange behavior that some had labeled as "bipolar", was worth looking into due to its similarities to the Andre Waters case. Nowinski contacted Omalu, who discovered the brain was still available, and Nowinski called Mary Strzelczyk, Justin's mother, to ask for permission to Omalu to examine it for CTE. Omalu's positive diagnosis was confirmed by two other [[neuropathologist]]s.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/15/sports/football/15brain.html |title=Lineman, Dead at 36, Exposes Brain Injuries |work=The New York Times |first=Alan |last=Schwarz |date=June 15, 2007 |access-date=February 21, 2017 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126062208/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/15/sports/football/15brain.html?em&ex=1182052800&en=f3cf383a36aadfb5&ei=5087%0A |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04305/404469.stm |title=What drove Justin Strzelczyk to his death? |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |first=Chuck |last=Finder |date=October 31, 2004 |access-date=June 17, 2007 |archive-date=August 22, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822171152/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04305/404469.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Nowinski came together with [[Ted Johnson]], former [[New England Patriots]] linebacker, on revealing symptoms of concussions after Johnson (who received over half a dozen concussions in his career) retired from the NFL.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/02/02/i_dont_want_anyone_to_end_up_like_me |work=The Boston Globe |title=I don't want anyone to end up like me |date=February 2, 2007 |first1=Jackie |last1=MacMullan |access-date=December 12, 2007 |archive-date=October 9, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009232727/http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/02/02/i_dont_want_anyone_to_end_up_like_me/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Nowinski alerted police and the coroner of [[Chris Benoit]], asking them to do a brain exam on Benoit's brain<ref name="bitchute.com">{{Citation|title=Chris Beniot murder-suicide full documentary, no commercials|url=https://www.bitchute.com/video/edFICJCRKRLS/|language=en|access-date=2021-05-01}}</ref> to see if concussions had any part in his rage or depression at the time of the [[Chris Benoit double murder and suicide|double-homicide of his family and his suicide]].<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/27/us/27wrestler.html |title = Wrestler Killed Wife and Son, Then Himself |author = Brenda Goodman |work = The New York Times |access-date = June 26, 2007 |date = June 26, 2007 |archive-date = April 16, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090416020017/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/27/us/27wrestler.html |url-status = live }}</ref> In June 2007, Nowinski co-founded the Sports Legacy Institute (now the Concussion Legacy Foundation), an organization dedicated to furthering awareness of and research on sports-related head injuries, and increasing the safety of contact and collision sports worldwide. Nowinski's work was documented on [[ESPN]]'s ''Outside the Lines'' on September 5, 2007. On the same day, Benoit's brain examination report showed extensive damage due to concussions that could have led to dementia.<ref name="bitchute.com"/>

==Concussion Legacy Foundation==
{{Anchor|Concussion Legacy Foundation}}
{{Independent sources|section|date=August 2014}}
Since Nowinski's departure from WWE and the publication of his book ''Head Games'', he has garnered a significant amount of media attention, making numerous appearances on networks such as [[ESPN]] and [[CNN]] to discuss sports-related head injuries.<ref name=":1" /> On June 14, 2007, Nowinski and Robert Cantu founded the Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF) in Boston, Massachusetts in reaction to medical research indicating brain trauma in sports had become a public health crisis. Postmortem analysis of the brain tissue of former [[contact sport]]s athletes was revealing that repetitive brain injuries, both concussions and subconcussive blows, could lead to the neurodegenerative disease [[chronic traumatic encephalopathy]] (CTE). An absence of awareness and education on concussions, specifically proper diagnosis and management, was allowing the disease to proliferate. Finally, with [[brain trauma]] becoming the signature injury of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, this research/education model could also be applied to the military.

CLF was founded to solve the [[Concussions in sport|concussion crisis in sports]] and the military through medical research, treatment, and education & prevention. The initial vision of the CLF was to formalize neuropathological research and develop and treatment, via partnership with a top-tier university medical school. To that end, the CLF began such a partnership with [[Boston University School of Medicine]] (BUSM) in September 2008, collaborating in formation of its [[Boston University CTE Center and Brain Bank|CTE Center]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Campus and Alumni News |url=http://www.bu.edu/cte/files/2012/06/Head-Games-Summer-2010.pdf |access-date=8 May 2020 |issue=Summer 2010 |publisher=Boston University School of Medicine |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516041447/http://www.bu.edu/cte/files/2012/06/Head-Games-Summer-2010.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

CLF has sought to develop ways to raise awareness of the issue and to directly educate coaches, athletes and parents and has been featured in articles in ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref>{{cite news |url =  https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/25/sports/worldcup/us-womens-soccer-stars-take-lead-on-risks-of-heading.html |title =  U.S. Women's Soccer Stars Take Lead on Risks of Heading |access-date =  December 2, 2014 |date =  June 24, 2014 |work =  [[The New York Times]] |archive-date =  January 25, 2018 |archive-url =  https://web.archive.org/web/20180125134846/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/25/sports/worldcup/us-womens-soccer-stars-take-lead-on-risks-of-heading.html?_r=0 |url-status = live }}</ref> on news programs such as ''[[60 Minutes]]''<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5377319n&tag=cbsnewsMainColumnArea.8 |title = A Blow to the Brain |access-date=October 22, 2009 |date = October 11, 2009 |work=CBS News}}</ref> and ''[[Frontline (U.S. TV series)|Frontline]]'',<ref>{{cite news |title=The Frontline Interviews - League of Denial: Football's Concussion Crisis |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sports/league-of-denial/the-frontline-interview-chris-nowinski/ |access-date=8 May 2020 |publisher=Public Broadcasting Service |archive-date=August 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806071030/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sports/league-of-denial/the-frontline-interview-chris-nowinski/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[CNN]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Andrew |first1=Scottie |title=New PSA warns parents to avoid youth tackle football by comparing it to smoking |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/11/health/cte-youth-football-psa-trnd/index.html |work=CNN |publisher=CNN |date=October 11, 2019 |access-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-date=February 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226051628/https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/11/health/cte-youth-football-psa-trnd/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In August 2010, Nowinski took offense to Linda McMahon saying during her Senate campaign that she only met recently overdosed wrestler [[Lance Cade]] "once" and said it was "absolutely unsafe to work in that ring. They have no oversight into what actually happens in the ring, and they are encouraging steroid use."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/08/former-wrestler-mcmahon-kicking-dirt-on-the-grave-of-lance-cade/61782/|title=Former Wrestler: McMahon 'Kicking Dirt on the Grave' of Lance Cade|first=Chris|last=Good|publisher=The Atlantic|date=August 19, 2010|access-date=October 28, 2020|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031064930/https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/08/former-wrestler-mcmahon-kicking-dirt-on-the-grave-of-lance-cade/61782/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2015, the "Sports Legacy Institute" announced a rebrand and changed its name to the Concussion Legacy Foundation. The rebrand aimed to align the evolution of the organization's programs with its name.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://concussionfoundation.org/about/media/press-releases/sports-legacy-institute-announces-rebrand-concussion-legacy-foundation|title=Sports Legacy Institute Announces Rebrand to Concussion Legacy Foundation|publisher=Bartlett|access-date=December 8, 2015|archive-date=December 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210220011/http://concussionfoundation.org/about/media/press-releases/sports-legacy-institute-announces-rebrand-concussion-legacy-foundation|url-status=live}}</ref>

Nowinski served as co-director at the CTE Center of BUSM, where he worked closely with [[Ann McKee]], M.D., and other center experts, until 2013. Initially, he worked as a liaison making contact with athletes and families of deceased athletes, to further case studies that examine brain tissues impacted by CTE. As of 2020 he serves as the Outreach, Recruitment, Education, and Public Policy Leader.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

''[[The Hockey News|Hockey News]]'' listed Nowinski on its 2011 edition of the 100 Most Powerful people in ice hockey as one of the Top 40 under the age of 40. This recognition was attributed to his ability in getting hockey players to donate brain tissue after death.<ref>''Hockey News'', vol. 64, no. January 14, 17, 2011, p. 25</ref>

In January 2023, Nowinski presented warnings and criticism of an increased prevalence in slap fighting, to include a [[Power Slap|U.S. based reality show]] focused on the emerging sport.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dawson |first1=Alan |title=A slap fighter 'could kill people on a regular basis with enough practice,' neuroscientist says |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/sports/other/a-slap-fighter-could-kill-people-on-a-regular-basis-with-enough-practice-neuroscientist-says/ar-AA16Jobi |website=Business Insider |access-date=31 January 2023}}</ref>

==Accomplishments==
===Science and business===
{{BLP primary sources|section|date=August 2020}}
Vice called Nowinski "the man most responsible for making CTE part of the national conversation" and in 2010 ''Sports Illustrated'' printed: "It is Nowinski's figure which looms behind the doctors and the headlines and the debate roiling over sports' newfound commitment to minimizing head trauma."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hruby |first1=Patrick |title=The WWE Concussion Lawsuit Is Cheap Heat |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-wwe-concussion-lawsuit-is-cheap-heat/ |access-date=8 May 2020 |publisher=Vice |date=January 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Torre |first1=Pablo |title=My Sportsman: Chris Nowinski |url=https://www.si.com/sportsperson/2010/11/19/torre-nowinski |access-date=8 May 2020 |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=November 19, 2010 |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303075355/https://www.si.com/sportsperson/2010/11/19/torre-nowinski |url-status=live }}</ref>
*2019 Ernst Jokl Sports Medicine Award, United States Sports Academy<ref>{{cite news |title=Leading Concussion Education Advocate Dr. Chris Nowinski Earns United States Sports Academy's 2019 Ernst Jokl Sports Medicine Award |url=https://ussa.edu/news/leading-concussion-education-advocate-dr-chris-nowinski-earns-united-states-sports-academys-2019-ernst-jokl-sports-medicine-award/ |access-date=8 May 2020 |publisher=The United States Sports Academy |date=October 15, 2019 |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516041450/https://ussa.edu/news/leading-concussion-education-advocate-dr-chris-nowinski-earns-united-states-sports-academys-2019-ernst-jokl-sports-medicine-award/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
*2018 Industry Difference-Makers, Athletic Business<ref>{{cite news |title=AB Salutes Industry Difference-Makers |url=https://www.athleticbusiness.com/athlete-safety/ab-salutes-industry-difference-makers.html |access-date=8 May 2020 |publisher=The Athletic Business Journal |date=December 2018 |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516041450/https://www.athleticbusiness.com/athlete-safety/ab-salutes-industry-difference-makers.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*40 under 40, Boston Business Journal, 2017<ref>{{cite news |title=40 Under 40: Chris Nowinski |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2017/10/19/40-under-40-chris-nowinski.html |access-date=8 May 2020 |publisher=The Boston Business Journal |date=October 19, 2017 |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516041450/https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2017/10/19/40-under-40-chris-nowinski.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Dr. Alan Ashare Safety Award, Massachusetts Hockey, 2016<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/nowinski.christopher/photos/a.1098521693551072/1098521706884404/?type=3&theater |website=Facebook |access-date=8 May 2020 |title=Facebook |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516041450/https://www.facebook.com/nowinski.christopher/photos/a.1098521693551072/1098521706884404/?type=3&theater= |url-status=live }}</ref>
*President's Medallion Award. Western New England College.2011<ref>{{cite web |title=President's Medallion Recipients - Western New England |url=https://www1.wne.edu/about/presidents-medallion-recipients.cfm |website=www1.wne.edu |access-date=11 May 2020 |archive-date=April 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416091849/https://www1.wne.edu/about/presidents-medallion-recipients.cfm |url-status=live }}</ref>
*Health''Leaders'' 20 - People Who Make Healthcare Better, HealthLeaders Media, 2011<ref>{{cite news |title=HL20: CHRIS NOWINSKI—COLLECTING BRAINS, COMBATING CONCUSSIONS |url=https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/clinical-care/hl20-chris-nowinski%E2%80%94collecting-brains-combating-concussions |access-date=11 May 2020 |publisher=HealthLeaders |date=December 13, 2011 |archive-date=May 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516041455/https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/welcome-ad?toURL=%2Fclinical-care%2Fhl20-chris-nowinski%E2%80%94collecting-brains-combating-concussions |url-status=live }}</ref>
*''Hockey News'' 40 Under 40 Most Powerful People in Hockey, 2011
*''Sports Illustrated'' Sportsman of the Year Finalist, 2010<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Torre |first1=Pablo |title=Former WWE wrestler Chris Nowinski becomes leading figure in head trauma research |url=https://www.si.com/sportsperson/2010/11/19/torre-nowinski |access-date=11 May 2020 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=November 19, 2010 |language=en-us |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303075355/https://www.si.com/sportsperson/2010/11/19/torre-nowinski |url-status=live }}</ref>
*James Brady Award, Brain Injury Association of Illinois, 2010<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lazzara |first1=Gina |title=Brain Injury Association of Illinois Awards Dinner Sponsored by Nolan Law Group |url=http://nolan-law.com/brain-injury-association-of-illinois-awards-dinner-sponsored-by-nolan-law-group/ |access-date=11 May 2020 |publisher=Nolan Law Group |date=27 October 2010}}</ref>

===Professional wrestling===
*'''[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]'''
**[[WWE Hardcore Championship]] ([[List of WWE Hardcore Champions|2 times]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/hard/|title=WWE Hardcore Championship history|publisher=Wwe.com|access-date=October 26, 2014|archive-date=February 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223160515/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/hard|url-status=live}}</ref>
*'''''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''''
**Worst Worked Match of the Year (2002) <small>with [[Jackie Gayda]] vs. [[John Layfield|Bradshaw]] and [[Trish Stratus]] on ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' on July 8</small>

==See also==
* [[Concussions in American football]]
* [[List of NFL players with chronic traumatic encephalopathy]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sports/league-of-denial/the-frontline-interview-chris-nowinski/ PBS ''Frontline'' "League of Denial" extended interview]
*[https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/08/10/concerns-arise-over-group-certifying-head-impact-sensors/gh5mJDYV8jcS8Ik7DiF6kN/story.html?event=event25%20%20 Conflicts arise in sports-related concussions fight]

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://concussionfoundation.org/ Concussion Legacy Foundation]
*{{Official website|http://www.chrisnowinski.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|id=1054042}}
*{{Professional wrestling profiles}}
{{WWE Hardcore Championship}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nowinski, Christopher}}
[[Category:1978 births]]
[[Category:American male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:American people of Polish descent]]
[[Category:American science writers]]
[[Category:Concussion activists]]
[[Category:Harvard Crimson football players]]
[[Category:Harvard University alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Arlington Heights, Illinois]]
[[Category:People with traumatic brain injuries]]
[[Category:Tough Enough contestants]]
[[Category:WWF/WWE Hardcore Champions]]
[[Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:21st-century American professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Illinois]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Illinois]]
[[Category:American football defensive linemen]]