Rugby star Steve Thompson was diagnosed with early onset dementia which he attributes to the numerous knocks he endured during his career.
The former England hooker, now 44, says it “wasn't worth it” as he would “rather not be such a burden on his family”.
Steve was diagnosed with the brain degenerative condition back in 2020, which is strongly linked to repetitive trauma to the brain.
He retired from rugby due to a neck injury that he suffered during the closing Heineken Cup pool match, and is now among 200 former players diagnosed with dementia suing World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and Welsh Rugby Union.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is perhaps the best-established environmental risk factor for dementia, says a study published in the National Library of Medicine.
The research further looked at dementia resulting from traumatic brain injury and found that “individuals who had had a head injury of sufficient severity to result in loss of consciousness were at approximately 50% increased risk of dementia compared with others”.
The study concluded: “Epidemiologic studies indicate that TBI in early to midlife is associated with an increased risk of dementia in late life, in the range of two to four-fold compared with the general population.
“This risk appears to be much higher in the setting of multiple TBIs, although research in this area is in its infancy.”
Sports stars and dementia
Alongside rugby, ex-football players have also seen the various hard knocks in their career take a toll on their brain health.
These include Alan Jarvis, who died in 2019 with a coroner ruling his death was a result of his previous occupation, which had been “a factor” for his decline; Billy McNeill, Martin Peters, Barry Pierce, Nobby Stiles, John Talbut and Ray Wilson, among many others who all were diagnosed with dementia.
Former Norwich City midfielder Mike Sutton’s son Chris, is considering suing the FA and the Professional Footballers’ Association over his father’s dementia.
Early symptoms of dementia
In the beginning stages of the disease, signs may include:
- Subtle short-term memory changes
- Difficulty finding the right words
- Changes in mood
- Apathy
- Difficulty completing tasks
- Confusion
- A failing sense of direction
- Difficulty following storylines
- Repetition
- Struggling to adapt to change
- Poor judgement.
“It's taken me a long to admit that there was something seriously wrong with me. And a few weeks ago, I went for a detailed brain scan, the result was a shock,” Steve admits regarding his eventual diagnosis of the brain disease.
In the documentary, Steve shows his impressive collection of awards, but says: “You look at it and you think, it's all nice medals and stuff like that, but at the end of the day you know, it's why I am what I am now.
He admits that he can't remember “precious memories” such as winning the Webb Ellis Cup in 2003 and adds: “I'm struggling a bit. So, I am a little bit emotional about it to be honest.”
Steve is now among 200 former players diagnosed with the disease who are suing various sporting officials.
“We started with three, then there was seven, now there are nearly 200 and there are more to be tested,” he had said of the class action – the largest of its kind outside the US.
“It’s not just about trying to get money. We are trying to save the game. We just want people to play rugby and be safe, or as safe as they can be, and go in there with an open mind knowing what’s going on.”
*Steve will be appearing in a new BBC Two documentary, Head On: Rugby, Dementia and Me, airing tonight at 9pm on BBC2
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