- James Graham has sparked another intense feud with Peter FitzSimons
- Couple have opposing views when it comes to concussions in sports
- Graham criticized FitzSimons who called on James Tedesco to retire
- The Roosters captain has suffered several concussions in his career
Rugby league great James Graham has left Peter FitzSimons in the lurch after the columnist called for Roosters star James Tedesco to retire after suffering another concussion.
Graham and former Wallaby FitzSimons have been feuding for years, with the pair first clashing in 2019 when the Sydney Morning Herald writer questioned the retired prop, saying he was willing to ‘accept the risk of head-butting ‘ as part of the professional rugby league.
In 2022, Graham then accused FitzSimons of ambushing him and showing him off at a concussion seminar.
So when FitzSimons recently wrote that it was time for Roosters captain Tedesco to hang up his boots after being knocked out against the Bulldogs, Graham didn’t mince words.
‘This kind of behavior [from FitzSimons] uses our game and the very serious issue of concussion to stay alive,” Graham said in anger over his The Bye Round podcast.
Rugby League great James Graham has slammed Peter FitzSimons after the veteran journalist called for Roosters star James Tedesco to retire due to a number of concussions
The pair first clashed in 2019 when the Sydney Morning Herald writer (pictured) quizzed the retired prop and stated he was willing to ‘accept’ the risk of head-butting as part of professional rugby league.
When Fitzsimons wrote that it was time for Roosters captain Tedesco to hang up his boots after being knocked out (pictured) against the Bulldogs, Graham didn’t hold back on his The Bye Round podcast
‘He has no right to publicly recommend that James Tedesco retire from rugby league.
“It’s basically like me saying, ‘Peter, I think you’re over it, I think you should retire from journalism.’ It should carry the same weight because you’re talking nonsense.
“It’s time for you to move on and retire.”
Graham also pointed out that FitzSimons is not a doctor and therefore should not scrutinize Tedesco’s future as a player.
“He also says, ‘I’m someone with no medical expertise,’” Graham said.
“You got that part right. You got that part exactly right. Writing this, you know that James’ loved ones – his wife, his mother, father, extended family and friends – would all be reading this and it does nothing but fuel unnecessary anxiety and stress.
Graham (pictured playing for the Bulldogs in 2012) branded the columnist a parasite as he lashed out at him for hurting Tedesco’s family
‘You’re only making the situation worse. He knows the complexity, weight and delicate nature of such a decision and you are calling on him to retire.
‘How dare you do that? He says it will draw flak. Well, you have your response. I call it for what it is.
“It’s struck a nerve and it’s really frustrated me because it’s just something that shouldn’t happen – and he needs to be called out for it.
‘Nothing less than the behavior of a parasite. For those who don’t know what a parasite means, it needs a host to stay alive. And this kind of behavior takes advantage of our game and the very serious nature of a concussion to stay relevant or alive.
“That’s what a parasite would do.”