Paul ‘Chief’ Harragon backs former bitter rival Mark Carroll who is suffering CTE symptoms
Paul ‘Chief’ Harragon backs former front-row rival Mark Carroll suffering from CTE symptoms and calls on NRL to do MORE to help retired players
- Male legend Mark Carroll has CTE symptoms in his brain
- Leave the NRL great, 56, scared for his future
- Paul “Chief” Harragon backed up a call from Carroll
- Both want NRL to pay for brain scans of retired players
Former NRL enforcer Paul ‘Chief’ Harragon disagreed with Mark Carroll in their playing days – but the great knights are on the same page as his one-time arch-rival when it comes to the code that pays for brain scans of retired players.
The development comes after former Sea Eagles premiership winner Carroll recently revealed he is suffering from CTE symptoms.
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a brain disease caused by repeated head impacts.
It can’t be officially diagnosed until someone dies – with the brain then examined.
Brain scans for ex-footy stars who fear they have signs of CTE can cost as much as $900 — and they’re not covered by private health insurance.
Former NRL enforcer Paul ‘Chief’ Harragon couldn’t stand Mark Carroll in their playing days – but the great knights are on the same page when it comes to the code that pays for brain scans of retired players
The development comes as ex-Sea Eagles front rower Carroll recently revealed he is suffering from CTE symptoms in his brain
As some retired players struggle financially, they instead resort to self-medication, including unsafe daily doses of panadol or highly addictive painkillers.
Others turn to alcohol because of a personal fear of having early brain damage.
Harragon and Carroll would like to see the NRL accommodate all ex-players who have the precious brain scans.
“The game should support guys like ‘Spudd’ and all the others who are struggling,” Harragon told the The Sydney Morning Herald.
“I was there and dealt the blows with him. “All tests that are available should be available when they are.” [ex-players] feel that way.’
Harragon, 54, has no CTE symptoms herself and “feels great.”
A focus on a healthy lifestyle has helped, and the importance of this was made clear after his retirement by Professor Chris Levi, who runs the Sports Concussion Clinic at John Hunter Hospital, north of Sydney.
Despite his brutal playing style in his heyday, Paul Harragon, 54, suffers no CTE symptoms himself and ‘feels great’
Mark Carroll (pictured right) runs a gym in Sydney and works in the media, but is worried about his future
Carroll emphasized that his focus is on helping others.
“I didn’t do this to get attention,” he said. “It’s the players I want to help.
Luckily I was able to afford the $900. But other people can’t. It’s not covered anywhere.
“Not through Medicare or private health insurance.
“Most importantly, I want this game to hold up and compensate any player that needs to be checked.”
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