Smallscreen News

Billy Corgan Smashing Wrestling, with Concussion awareness

By April MacIntyre Nov 27, 2011, 18:48 GMT

05/06/2011 - Billy Corgan - 7th Annual MusicCares Map Fund Benefit Concert - Arrvials - Club Nokia - Los Angeles, CA, USA © Jonathan Shensa / PR Photos

Smashing Pumpkins leadman Billy Corgan has channeled his creativity to the world of pro wrestling.

Corgan's band, The Smashing Pumpkins, is a longtime player in the world of indie rock, and Corgan has been nothing but forthcoming regarding his battles with depression and suicidal thoughts, and his interest in sports.

Corgan now tells ESPN, "The funny thing about me that most people never really understand is that, at heart, I'm really a jock."

Now, Corgan and the Baron Brothers have created a wrestling outfit Resistance Pro, which threw down its "Black Friday" inaugural with twenty-two wrestlers in Chicago.

Corgan is also talking about one of the dangers of the sport: Concussions.

"I had concussions as a kid playing football and basketball," said Corgan, who was raised in Illinois, "and know what it feels like and to have someone say 'Just rub some dirt on it, and get back in there.' "

Corgan enliste a friend, WWE wrestler Chris Nowinski, co-founder of the Sports Legacy Institute. Nowinski, retired due to a concussion-related injury.

Nowinski  also authored "Head Games", a book bout this public health crisis.

"I said to Chris, 'What if we become the first wrestling company to work with SLI to make concussion safety part of our protocol?' Alongside the talk is real action, as Resistance Pro has its athletes undergo regular concussion screening," he told ESPN. "Injuries are nothing to be ashamed about. They happen, but you have to support the talent and not just look the other way."