Socks honouring Sam McMahon raise funds for concussion research

Geelong dad Sam McMahon was diagnosed with CTE after his tragic death. Now it’s hoped “socks for Sam” can help prevent other families from enduring the pain his has been through.

Steigen general manager Nick Chandley, left, widow Katie McMahon and GSMC director Emma Jarman with the Australian Sports Brain Bank fundraising socks. Picture: Alison Wynd

The legacy of a late Geelong dad and local footy player who suffered a disease associated with repeated head knocks lives on through research.

Following the sudden death of good friend Sam McMahon in 2021, Geelong Sports Medicine Centre (GSMC) directors Emma and Nick Jarman reached out to the Australian Sports Brain Bank (ASBB) and pledged support through awareness initiatives and fundraising.

Mr McMahon was a star local footballer for Newtown and Chilwell Football Club, and played school footy with The Geelong College.

He also played abroad in Canada and Thailand during a career that spanned more than 30 years and saw him suffer numerous head knocks.

GSMC director Emma Jarman, left, Steigen general manager Nick Chandley and widow Katie McMahon and with the Australian Sports Brain Bank fundraising socks. Picture: Alison Wynd

With awareness of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after watching a documentary on Danny Frawley and his many concussions, Mr McMahon pledged his brain to the ASBB for research.

Mr McMahon died aged 44 in January 2021, and was later diagnosed with Stage 1-2 CTE.

Symptoms of CTE – which can only be diagnosed posthumously – include memory loss, impaired judgment, depression and suicidality.

Sam McMahon was diagnosed with CTE after his death. Picture: Supplied

The GSMC and Steigen Sports Performance have launched fundraising socks to support critical research in concussion and head-trauma-related disease, including CTE, conducted by the ASBB.

“When Sam died, we all felt hopeless and receiving the CTE diagnosis answered so many questions,” Ms Jarman said.

“We hope that by purchasing a pair of ASBB x Steigens, communities affected by concussion and CTE-related illnesses will feel like they are making a difference and hopefully one day others will not have to go through this.

“These socks are more than just a product – they are a beacon of hope for those impacted by concussion and CTE.”

Widow Katie McMahon said it would be amazing if the socks could spread awareness and start conversations.

“Sam would be relieved that we’re helping others to understand, and not go through what we’ve been through,” she said.

Associate Professor Michael Buckland, the ASBB founding and executive director, said knowledge on the long-term effects of concussion was in its infancy.

Michael Buckland. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Our research relies solely on grants and donations and will hopefully allow us to make well-informed policy and effective guidelines for prevention, identification and, potentially, treatment of concussion and CTE in Australian communities, ensuring that death from sports-related head injuries becomes a thing of the past,” Prof Buckland said.

“Sam’s selfless act to donate his brain to research has already helped thousands of Australians, and we are grateful to his family, GSMC and Steigen for ensuring his legacy continues through this sock initiative.”

The socks, priced at $22, will be sold nationwide through networks including the Concussion Legacy Foundation, and at CTE events.

They can be purchased online at www.asbbsocksforsam.com

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Originally published as Socks honouring Sam McMahon raise funds for concussion research