Matthew Johns: League concussion victims fear speaking out

Former NRL star Matthew Johns fears there are countless rugby league players suffering from concussion-related symptoms who are too scared to come forward due to the stigma of being labelled ‘soft’.

• Spudd’s fear: ‘It was a badge of honour’
• CTE discovered in two former players

Matty Johns was midway through a public speaking gig a few years back when the topic of ­concussion came up.

Specifically, if he thought it was fair dinkum?

“And when I said, yeah,” he recalled, “a couple of blokes in the room, they stood up and started yelling at me, then walked out.

“They were footballers.

Or old footballers.

“And for me that reaction, mate, it was fear.”

Matty Johns is happy to talk about concussion and wants other rugby league players to feel the same way. Picture: Britta Campion

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Same deal later, when Johns was working breakfast radio with Triple M, and outed his own dealings with head trauma — including those private meetings with a Sydney concussion expert who had also counselled American NFL players.

“Afterwards,” he recalled, “I had all these ex-players calling me for his contact details.

“I don’t know if the guys were feeling bad (mentally), or just curious.

“But what I can say is that every one of them begged me not to mention their names. They were all so worried that people would think they were soft, or chasing money … that’s a real tragedy.”

And one, Johns insisted, must now stop.

Which is why this undeniable face of Fox Sports League — not to mention a fella who knows, first hand, what it means to play on after being knocked out — has welcomed the news about the brains of two rugby league players testing positive for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE.

Not only for the code, he said, but all those retirees too embarrassed to seek treatment for a disease that, for too long, has been considered soft, unusual, even fake.

“But this report, it’s confirmation,” said Johns. “And one of the things I really hope it does is remove the stigma around those players who are struggling.

“Because the sickening fact is there are players out there — and I know of them — who even though they don’t feel right, they won’t come out and say something.”

Andrew Johns was concussed in 2006 after a high shot by Sonny Bill Williams. Picture: Phil Hillyard

As an example, Johns recounts his powerful TV interview with brother Andrew back in March, when he asked “Joey” if a series of career concussions could have caused both his epilepsy and the subsequent seizures.

“But the moment I tried asking Joey if concussion had something to do with it,” Johns said, “he immediately tried to dismiss it. Tried to move away from it. Players are terrified to discuss this issue publicly, because of the stigma.”

Which again, is why Johns welcomes studies like the one released yesterday.

“What’s really important to get clear is that these studies aren’t about ruining rugby league,” he said.

Andrew Johns gave a rare interview detailing his struggles post-career earlier this year.

“Instead, they confirm the direction the game is going in.

“This report is confirmation that everything the NRL is doing in relation to head trauma, it isn’t knee-jerk and it isn’t an overreaction.

“And I know there will be varying reactions from old players.

“I’m sure you’ll have some looking back at their careers today while counting up the concussions.

“But the game now, it’s never been safer. Is almost a different sport entirely.

“And now we have confirmation that those changes, they’re the right ones.”

Originally published as Matthew Johns: League concussion victims fear speaking out