Rugby league great Steve ‘Slippery’ Morris speaks out about life-threatening stroke

The life of Dragons legend Steve ‘Slippery’ Morris changed dramatically when he collapsed while having coffee with family and friends recently.

Steve 'Slippery' Morris in April 1986.

St George great Steve Morris has spoken for the first time about suffering a life-threatening stroke, declaring: “I could have died. But I’m one of the lucky ones.”

Morris, 66, shocked the rugby league world after collapsing while having coffee with family and friends at a Kiama cafe in September.

He was rushed to Wollongong Hospital – and later Prince of Wales in Sydney – where surgeons found a blood clot near his brain.

Morris played 247 first grade games for St George and Easts, scoring 122 tries, and was halfback in the Dragons’ 1979 grand final win.

Possessing blistering speed, Morris, the father of NRL champions Josh and Brett, also represented NSW and Australia.

Yet life for the player known as ‘Slippery’ changed dramatically after having coffee with son Scott at the Central Perk Cafe.

“You can be here one minute … if I was asleep or couldn’t get emergency services then it could have been a different story — I could have died,” Morris said.

Rugby league great Steve Morris at his home in Kiama Downs. Picture: Brett Costello

“If your brain dies, you end up with all those horrible possibilities, or you die, for sure.

“What about if I had left (the cafe) and driven my car and something happened? You go to brake and your foot’s not working. It is what it is – I’m still here but it was a wake-up call.

“It was strange – I knew I was having a stroke but it didn’t register, it’s hard to explain. I was in denial and thought I was all right.

“I was saying: ‘I don’t need to go to hospital’ because I’ve never had any symptoms or heart problems. It was all a surprise, really.”

The cafe owner, Cameron Thomas, provided first aid to Morris until emergency services arrived.

“I couldn’t lift my arm up but there wasn’t any pain. That’s what I found odd. I dropped my keys. When I picked them up, I couldn’t get back up again,” Morris said.

“I started to have slurred speech and they said my face was droopy. I knew then something was wrong.

Steve Morris in hospital with his wife Stacey.

“I am fit and never think something like this could happen. Everyone is amazed, even the surgeons, at how well everything turned out. There could have been lots of different outcomes but I got the best possible one.

“It didn’t look real good for a while. I had a stent put in my neck – which stays for life – and they pulled a clot from the back of my brain which was blocking the blood vessels. I’m on medication for the rest of my life.”

Morris’ recovery has been steady and positive. He is living life slowly, aware his journey to full recovery will take considerable time.

“I was pretty lucky but I’m not fully recovered. It’s a slow process. I’m getting there but there’s still a way to go physically. I haven’t had a beer for three months – that’s what’s killing me,” Morris said.

“I’m a bit slower with some things but I’m trying to stay on the right path.

“I had a lot of people send me messages, blokes I played with, ex-coaches. I’d like to thank them for all their support. (Former NRL coach) Allan Fitzgibbon came up to the hospital.”

Remarkably, Steve, Josh and Brett scored a combined total of 456 first grade tries to cement their place as one of rugby league’s greatest families.

Originally published as Rugby league great Steve ‘Slippery’ Morris speaks out about life-threatening stroke