Ryan Papenhuyzen reveals why he would happily walk away from footy years before it’s time for him to retire
Melbourne Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen is just 26 years old and has been to hell and back twice to get back on the football field – but he would give it all away in a heartbeat if he were given dreaded medical advice.
The NRL entertainer has been deprived of valuable football over the past two seasons. He first suffered a broken kneecap in 2022 and then suffered a serious compound fracture in the 2023 final, putting his career in jeopardy.
He’s back to full fitness and ready to help the Storm’s quest for a fourth NRL premiership, but there’s another medical issue bothering the enigmatic fullback: concussion.
Before his serious injuries, Papenhuyzen sat out 10 rounds due to the lingering effects of a concussion after being smoothed by St. George Illawarra’s Tyrell Fuimaono in the Magic Round.
Papenhuyzen reacts after being injured during the NRL qualifying final between the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm
The Storm fullback had to work tirelessly to return from a shattered kneecap, with this x-ray showing the extent of the damage
Papenhuyzen’s career was marked by injuries, including concussion and serious leg injuries
Speaking on the Howie Games podcast with media personality Mark Howard, Papenhuyzen has made some stunning revelations about his future in the game due to his time on the sidelines and the impact of concussion.
In recent years the NRL has lost the likes of Paul Green and Bulldogs great Steve Folkes to complications from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) linked to on-field concussions.
Former players including Wally Lewis, Mark ‘Spudd’ Carroll and Robbie O’Davis have been diagnosed with CTE or have shown symptoms.
In the podcast, Howard asked Papenhuyzen, “Do you care what this (CTE) could do to you?”
“Yeah… well, my grandad died of dementia,” the Storm fullback said.
‘I enjoy what I do now, I get a really big kick from the platform I have to be able to share my messages, share my stories and be on TV every week to convey that’
“But at the same time, I think (developing CTE) is a possibility.
‘I try to do things a little differently off the field to reduce the chance of that. I don’t drink too much, I don’t do drugs.
“I know there’s probably a link between that and CTE as well.”
Papenhuyzen won the Clive Churchill Medal in the 2020 grand final against Penrith but has struggled to stay on the park since
It was then that Papenhuyzen dropped the bombshell that he would leave rugby league if there was sound medical advice suggesting he was at risk of developing CTE.
‘What do you sacrifice to get that? I’m having a great life right now. “I feel like I have set myself up well and hopefully in the future there will be a cure that can fix this,” he said.
‘If it reaches a stage where I feel it is harmful, I am happy to step away. I have bigger goals in life and I would obviously like to start a family one day.
“I’d like to go out on the ground and play cricket with the young boy or girl, whoever it is.
‘And yes, I have the ambition to be more than a footballer.
So I think at some point it will reach a stage where I feel like, I guess, I’m not ready to play anymore. I’m leaving.
“And whether that’s with the head or the body, that’s just one of those things that I think you just have to be okay with.”
The Storm fullback is aware that high shots could put him at risk of CTE in the future
Papenhuyzen has left no stone unturned in his recovery from a complicated fracture that threatened his career
The Melbourne Storm star even funded his own trip to the United States to help with his rehabilitation and recovery
Papenhuyzen said this decision was influenced by NRL players who had recently retired from the sport early in an attempt to protect themselves from developing CTE.
Former Sydney Roosters captain Boyd Cordner has been hailed as a role model for his decision to leave rugby league in 2021 after suffering repeated concussions when he was just 29 years old.
Roosters teammate Keegan Hipgrave announced his immediate retirement from rugby league on November 12, 2021, when he was just 24.
Nathan Friend became the third Chook to retire in the same season after suffering an estimated 20 concussions during his career.
Sydney Roosters captain Boyd Cordner tearfully retired from the NRL at the age of 29 after a series of concussions (pictured)
Cowboys premiership winner Lachlan Coote (right) was also forced to retire due to head impacts during his football career
Former North Queensland Cowboys premiership-winning fullback Lachlan Coote retired with immediate effect mid-season in 2023 after a series of concussions in the previous two seasons.
And Eels striker Andrew Davey also retired in October 2023 aged just 31 after advice from medical experts.
“Unfortunately there are people who have had to step away from the game and have enormous respect for them because I know how difficult that would be,” Papenhuyzen said.
“To give up your entire life, basically, what you’ve known for some for the past thirty years, to enter a new arena to improve your body, it’s a huge sacrifice and a lot to give away.”
‘But I think if you have goals and ambitions to do things in the future and you think it will be at your expense, then I think it’s a huge step and something people will think about much more seriously. now.’