James Graham hits back over concussion criticism

In 15 years as a professional rugby league player James Graham has never felt compelled to respond to an article about him — until now.

Graham gave FitzSimons a reality check.

St George Illawarra star James Graham has taken the extraordinary step of issuing a scathing statement in response to an article criticising his views on concussion.

The Dragons prop caused a stir in rugby league circles when he gave an honest take on the risk of head knocks in the sport, declaring he was prepared to accept the inherent danger to continue doing what he loves.

“It’s my life, I’ll do what I want to … well, within certain realms,” Graham said last week. “What’s the alternative? I kind of like what I’m doing. The consequences of that are sometimes you get hit on the head.

“You’ve got to go and play Oztag if you don’t fancy playing league anymore. But I wouldn’t get paid and I probably wouldn’t have as much fun.

“It’s my life … I have children, I know the importance of them having a father but I’m protecting myself as best as I can and doing all the research myself.

“I’ve done my research, I’ve had my tests done, I know what’s going on in my head and in my body. I’m seeing the appropriate people if there’s something to do about that but I’ll get on with it myself and stick to the laws of the game.”

His comments were widely dissected and former Wallaby turned journalist Peter FitzSimons penned a piece for the Sydney Morning Herald pleading with Graham to rethink his position, if not for himself then for all the people in Australia who play a contact sport and need to understand the risks that come with that.

FitzSimons — who has long been an advocate of the need to treat head knocks seriously — made it clear he respects Graham as a player but urged him not to downplay the effects of repeated concussions and the long-term health implications that come with them.

James Graham is one of the toughest players in the league.

“Yes, it is your life. But again, it is not about you. It’s about the hundreds of thousands in this country who play contact sport and the need for all of them to realise that while no one wants to shut down football, there are protocols that need to be observed to make it safer for everyone,” FitzSimons wrote.

“Comments like yours — basically, getting smashed in the head and getting on with it anyway is what goes with football — are outrageous. Serious people are trying to make the game safer, and it needs leaders like you to support that process and not be seen to downplay it.”

In response to the article, in which FitzSimons also urged Graham to see medical specialists if he can’t remember a game after a light head knock, the England representative issued a statement via the Dragons’ website in which he eviscerated the points made to highlight where he’s wrong.

Graham said in 15 years as a professional he had never felt the need to respond to an article about him until now, such was his anger at being the subject of what he called a “condescending portrayal” littered with “glaring errors”.

Graham ripped FitzSimons for referring to a match where he refused to come off after a heavy blow despite calls from the coach and a trainer to do so, but neglecting to mention another instance when the footy star subbed himself off because he thought he was concussed even though there was no obvious trigger.

“You choose this exact incident to suggest I need help and should talk to an expert. If you had bothered to read in full my comments you will see I made it perfectly clear that I have,” Graham said.

“I have in fact seen a variety of doctors and completed multiple tests just for my own peace of mind and have took it upon myself to go beyond what the NRL have provided me. I think this fact debunks your strong opinion that I ‘downgrade the importance of the concussion issue’.

“For the record, I take neurodegeneration and long term brain diseases incredibly seriously, and in all of the interviews last week in no way did I discount the seriousness of the matter.”

FitzSimons wants more done to make players aware of the consequences of concussions.

Graham also named a series of specialists whose work he was aware of should FitzSimons wish to dig deeper into the issue of head trauma.

The 33-year-old then took aim at FitzSimons’ declaration the issue is not just about him, before accusing the former rugby star of writing “complete fiction”.

“‘This is not about you?’ I’m sorry, but when I get asked a question asking my feelings towards concussion I tend to answer them from my perspective,” Graham said.

“The journalist who asked the question I’m sure was looking for some personal insight. Maybe you would have preferred the usual script given when being asked questions of this nature?

“I’m actually appalled by you paraphrasing my words ‘basically, getting smashed in the head and getting on with it anyway is what goes with football’. Sorry NO! I didn’t say that, mate. Complete fiction. If you think I said that maybe you are the one that needs assessing.”

Graham signed off his blistering retort by questioning why FitzSimons only listed his grievances without using his “very influential platform to offer any suggestions on how we could make sport safer or how to best combat concussion”. He then added some thoughts of his own about issues around player welfare confronting the NRL that need to be addressed, including substance abuse and the transition into life after football for retired players.