BBC
Former rugby union player Alix Popham has shared his struggles with early onset dementia attributed to brain injuries suffered during his rugby career. At 40 years old, Popham was diagnosed with the condition, leaving him with no recollection of major matches he once played in.
Impact of Sub-concussive Hits
Popham revealed that his neurologist estimated he experienced over 100,000 sub-concussive hits to his brain. Sub-concussive hits, resulting from any contact causing the brain to rattle inside the skull, can occur from both head and body impacts.
Advocacy for Former Players
Popham is one of the two former rugby professionals fighting against the governing bodies of the sport. Over 560 former players are suing the sport’s governing bodies for head injuries sustained during their careers.
Popham keeps jerseys and medals from significant matches, but he struggles to remember details such as the scorelines, weather conditions, or even his own participation in events like meeting Nelson Mandela in South Africa.
New Red Card Rule and Criticism
The Six Nations rugby tournament will use a new 20-minute red card policy. However, Dr. Willie Stewart, a leading expert on brain injury, criticizes this rule, viewing it as prioritizing the game’s spectacle over player safety.
Popham believes stiffer penalties, such as six to eight weeks, are necessary for red cards to deter dangerous tackles that can lead to brain injuries.
Personal Impact on Popham
Alix’s wife, Mel Popham, reported seeing her husband deteriorating after his diagnosis, experiencing issues like loss of temper and memory loss.
The couple also faced difficult decisions, such as opting not to have a second child to manage Al’s condition better.
Link Between Rugby and Dementia
Another former rugby player, Ian Buckett, died of dementia at 56. Posthumously, he was found to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition resulting from repeated brain trauma.
Research from institutions such as Oxford Brookes University has confirmed that repetitive head impacts lead to CTE.
Chris Simpson-Daniel’s Experience
Former England player Chris Simpson-Daniel was diagnosed with early onset dementia at age 43 in 2022, leading to suicide attempts, depression, and severe memory issues.
Response from Rugby Governing Bodies
World Rugby has stated that player welfare is their top priority and that the 20-minute red card is a trial seeking feedback. If shown to have negative consequences, they would halt it.
In a joint statement, World Rugby along with the RFU and WRU expressed condolences to Alix, Mel, and Chris, reiterating their commitment to making rugby safer.
However, Popham and Simpson-Daniel believe that more stringent actions are required beyond these statements.
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