Rugby league legend Wally Lewis diagnosed with early signs of brain disease CTE

Queensland Origin legend Wally Lewis, arguably the greatest rugby league player in the game’s history, is facing his toughest health fight yet.

NRL Legend Wally Lewis has been diagnosed with probable CTE. Picture: Jerad Williams

Queensland legend Wally Lewis, arguably the greatest rugby league player in the game’s history, has revealed he has been diagnosed with the early signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

The 63-year-old Lewis, known as ‘The King’ in recognition of the way he dominated the game, was diagnosed by doctor Rowena Mobbs after seeking an answer to his worsening memory loss.

“There is the big one, I can’t even remember the name of what it is called ….. probable CTE,” Lewis said.

“One of my first meetings with the doctor, she asked me to repeat simple things. I think it might have been five things and it might have been something like bus, dog, truck, camera, chair.

“She went to them two or three times, she asked me how I was feeling. A minute later she said what are the things I asked you to remember and I got two of them.

“Some time later she said do you remember what they were and I think I said bus. Pride is a wonderful thing but there wasn’t a lot of it around then.

“For a lot of the sports guys, I think most of us take on this belief that we have to prove how tough we are.

Wally Lewis (right) awards the Wally Lewis Medal to Reuben Cotter as player of the 2023 Origin series. Picture: Getty

“If we put our hands up and seek sympathy, then we are going to be seen as the real cowards of the game. But we have to take it on and admit that the problems are there.”

Lewis’ diagnosis is the latest shock to the sporting world. The Maroons legend was an indestructible giant of the code in the prime of his playing career, winning an unheard of eight man of the match awards in State of Origin.

He was later diagnosed with epilepsy and underwent surgery to remove a portion of his brain. However, news that he is the latest sports star to be diagnosed with likely CTE – a condition caused by repetitive blows to the head – will devastate a legion of rugby league fans who grew up worshipping a true Maroons hero.

While CTE is unable to be diagnosed until an autopsy of the brain is conducted, Mobbs confirmed testing of Lewis pointed in only one direction.

NRL Legend Wally Lewis has been diagnosed with probable CTE. Picture: Jerad Williams

“It’s devastating,” Mobbs told Sixty Minutes on the Nine Network.

“The last thing I want to do is diagnose them with dementia. You could interpret it as guesswork, but it’s educated guesswork by a specialist in dementia.”

Lewis insisted he had no regrets. He has no interest in pursuing legal action against the code that made him a household name.

He has also made the decision to donate his brain for further testing after his death.

“Would I change a thing? No, I wouldn’t,” he said.

“I loved the game that I played. I felt privileged to have played it and to have been given that chance. Anything I can pass on to anyone else ….. certainly it is well and truly worthwhile.”

Lewis’ shock announcement comes less than a year since fellow Queensland league identity Paul Green took his own life. An autopsy found he was suffering one of the most severe cases of CTE.