Will Smith has said being the father of a son who plays American football made him “nervous” because he didn’t fully realise the risks associated with the sport.

The Men In Black star’s oldest son Trey was a budding American football player who was offered a sporting scholarship, but he decided instead to pursue a career in music.

Will Smith talks about Concussion
Will Smith talks about Concussion (Jordan Strauss/Invision)

In Will’s latest film Concussion, based on a true story, he plays forensic neuropathologist Dr Bennet Omalu. The Nigerian-born American discovered chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in players of American football.

In Concussion, Will depicts Omalu’s attempts to bring his learnings to the attention of the National Football League (NFL) where he faces an uphill struggle to get them to acknowledge his findings.

Talking about his son’s playing days, Will said: “It made me nervous that I didn’t know and because I didn’t know, I knew that other parents didn’t know.”

He added: “Part of the mission of this film is to deliver the information, and it’s not just American football, you know. We’re starting to see it in soccer, the repeated headers in soccer, we’re starting to see it in Australian Rules football and in rugby and I just think that it’s just really important that people have the information.”

The I, Robot actor was praised for his portrayal of Omalu, but he missed out on an Oscar nomination.

There are no black and minority ethnic (BAME) nominees in the acting categories this year, and this has sparked fierce criticism, with the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite leading the charge.

Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith
Will and Jada Pinkett Smith (Jordan Strauss/Invision)

Will and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith will not be attending the ceremony as part of a protest calling for more diversity.

It is not the first time the Fresh Prince rap star has been vocal about a cause close to his heart. When asked if he would consider entering the political arena and possibly running for president, he said he was “joking-ish”.

“I feel like I have a distinct voice and a distinct opinion and a potentially useful set of skills to inspire people to reach for our highest American ideals.”

On a musical note, the tour with his rap partner DJ Jazzy Jeff, who also made appearances in Will’s hugely popular sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, is something to mark on the calendar.

“Yes! Tour this summer. We’re going to go out there. I’m sure we’ll be somewhere near your home town. I’ll see you over there!” Will enthused.

The duo’s UK hits include Summertime and Boom! Shake The Room. They received the first Grammy award for best rap performance in 1989 for Parents Just Don’t Understand.

Concussion is on general release in the UK.