League legend Ron Coote tells parents not to let concussion fears stop kids from playing football

RON Coote suffered plenty of concussions throughout his distinguished career. But the league legend says parents should not stop kids playing contact sport.

Lachlan Brooks and Dan hall picture with their grandad Ron Coote.

HE suffered a concussion a year during an illustrious 15-season career in the brutal 1960s and ‘70s, but Ron Coote says he hasn’t suffered any long-term health issues.

This is other side of football’s concussion debate.

In the wake of an alarming study out of the US about the number of former NFL players who have showed signs of CTE, a debilitating brain disease, at 73 Coote is happy and healthy.

The rugby league legend says even medical evidence in recent years has cleared him of brain damage.

And he hopes the disturbing study to come out of the United States relating to footballers who have suffered repeated concussions does not stop concerned parents allowing their children to play rugby league in the future.

“If they are saying in years to come there will not be any contact sport it would be a shame,” Coote said.

Following his distinguished playing career, Coote has had a successful life in business and remains involved in the game through his work with the Men of League Foundation where he is still the honorary president.

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Ron Coote in action for Souths in the 1970s. Pic South Sydney DRLFC.

Asked what advice he would give to parents, he said: “I think rugby league teaches you so much about life. There is a downside, but there is a hell of a lot of upside.

“I believe it makes them better citizens.

“You learn to take a knock and get up and keep going.

“And the friendships, there is a good side to all sport, not only rugby league.

“But that is the message I would give to the parents.”

Asked about his own memories of concussions he suffered, Coote said: “I was never carried off but I did get a lot of head knocks.

“I’d say I probably had one a year in the 15 years I played rugby league.

“I remember I played the Poms on the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1968 World Cup and I got a knee in the head.

“It must have knocked me out because I went and got on side with the Poms.”

Coote also revealed he took part in a study by a doctor at Macquarie University a couple of years ago that cleared him of any damage.

Lachlan Brooks and Dan hall picture with their grandad Ron Coote.

“They did an MRI on your brain and checked your heart,” he said.

“He checked mine and he said there was no swelling from plaque. I feel all right.

“I get a bit forgetful but maybe that comes with age.”

Asked if he had noticed many former players who he believed were suffering from concussion related injuries though his work with the Men of League, Coote said: “I have never known it to be a big issue.

“I think it is hard to make a definite decision on what is happening because we need to do a study from 100 rugby league players against 100 people from the general public.

“There are plenty of people who have never picked up a football or who have never been involved in any sport who have got dementia.

“To blame the sport I think is pretty harsh.”

Originally published as League legend Ron Coote tells parents not to let concussion fears stop kids from playing football