via Fox Sports
1st June 2021
It’s the perspective that only a health condition like dementia can offer.
Steve Mortimer – one of rugby league’s greats – has revealed he has disorder which affects the brain.
Now, the former Canterbury, NSW Blues and Australia great, wants the modern day player and supporter to understand the seriousness of head knocks and why he supports NRL chair Peter V’landys’ clamp down on high tackles.
“When we were playing it was OK,” he told Channel 10.
“Playing grand finals or State of Origins, or playing for your country, it’s great. You don’t think about it. But now that we’re sitting down and having a talk about it, it gives you a chance to have a real good think about where my brain is going.”
The 64-year-old remembers having three serious head knocks. He was officially diagnosed with the condition in March, but believes he has been troubled by dementia for some time now.
“I can’t think of things,” Mortimer said. “I used to be able to talk better on TV. I go on thinking, ‘Ahh, Ahh’ … and forgetting a person’s name.”
Asked by The Daily Telegraph’s Paul Crawley how long he had been aware of his condition, Mortimer said: “Seriously, I was told about March.
“Mate, I think it has a lot to do with … look it doesn’t matter.”
Pressed on whether if it has a lot to do with the knocks he suffered during his playing days, he said: “Absolutely. Absolutely.”
Ever since the NRL cracked down on high contact during Magic Round three weekends ago, the game’s supporters and players have been divided on the hard line stance.
On Monday night’s NRL 360, The Daily Telegraph’s chief writer Phil Rothfield said the crackdown threatened to make the game’s showpiece event, the State of Origin, “unwatchable”.
Yet, in the wake of an apparent uprising from players angry about the implementation of the change of law, Mortimer threw his support behind V’ landys.
“I said, ‘you have just got to forget all these people who are against you’,” Mortimer said of his conversation with V’landys on Monday.
“And these blokes who want to stick it up Peter V’landys or whatever have got no bloody idea.”
1st June 2021
It’s the perspective that only a health condition like dementia can offer.
Steve Mortimer – one of rugby league’s greats – has revealed he has disorder which affects the brain.
Now, the former Canterbury, NSW Blues and Australia great, wants the modern day player and supporter to understand the seriousness of head knocks and why he supports NRL chair Peter V’landys’ clamp down on high tackles.
“When we were playing it was OK,” he told Channel 10.
“Playing grand finals or State of Origins, or playing for your country, it’s great. You don’t think about it. But now that we’re sitting down and having a talk about it, it gives you a chance to have a real good think about where my brain is going.”
The 64-year-old remembers having three serious head knocks. He was officially diagnosed with the condition in March, but believes he has been troubled by dementia for some time now.
“I can’t think of things,” Mortimer said. “I used to be able to talk better on TV. I go on thinking, ‘Ahh, Ahh’ … and forgetting a person’s name.”
Asked by The Daily Telegraph’s Paul Crawley how long he had been aware of his condition, Mortimer said: “Seriously, I was told about March.
“Mate, I think it has a lot to do with … look it doesn’t matter.”
Pressed on whether if it has a lot to do with the knocks he suffered during his playing days, he said: “Absolutely. Absolutely.”
Ever since the NRL cracked down on high contact during Magic Round three weekends ago, the game’s supporters and players have been divided on the hard line stance.
On Monday night’s NRL 360, The Daily Telegraph’s chief writer Phil Rothfield said the crackdown threatened to make the game’s showpiece event, the State of Origin, “unwatchable”.
Yet, in the wake of an apparent uprising from players angry about the implementation of the change of law, Mortimer threw his support behind V’ landys.
“I said, ‘you have just got to forget all these people who are against you’,” Mortimer said of his conversation with V’landys on Monday.
“And these blokes who want to stick it up Peter V’landys or whatever have got no bloody idea.”
