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Steve Thompson, the rugby World Cup champion from England, has bravely revealed that he frequently has difficulty remembering the names of his children.
Thompson, 46, put away all his medals, trophies, and memorabilia after a devastating diagnosis of early-onset dementia left him feeling hopeless.
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Diagnosed at the age of 42, the former front-row player found out he had both dementia and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in 2020.
Thompson is preparing to share his story in a forthcoming TNT documentary, which explores the profound effects of the sport on his mental health.
The loving father of four young kids sat down with his former teammate Phil Vickery to provide an emotional update in his Cheshire residence.
The two reminisced over photos of Thompson’s young children, as he grappled to recall their names: Seren, Slone, Saskia, and Saxon.
Vickery began, “What do you remember about 2003?”
A disheartened Thompson responded, “It’s odd. I can’t remember anything. I don’t even recall being in Australia.
“The whole experience has vanished. Everything from that period in my life is just missing.”
Vickery pursued, “What about anything following our return, like from the open top bus or the palace?”
Thompson answered, “No, nothing. It simply is not there. My entire life has turned upside down. I’m struggling with confusion, memory issues, and episodes of anger.”
“I went through a serious guilt phase concerning my kids and Steph. There was a time when I was very close to suicide. You feel like leaving could be an act of selflessness.”
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“When I see myself or the other players, I feel like a fraud. It’s as if I wasn’t the one there. Like I didn’t participate.”
Nevertheless, this flanker-turned-hooker will always be recognized as a rugby icon, having participated in nearly all of England‘s matches leading to their World Cup triumph.
Thompson made his Red Rose debut a year prior against Scotland.
Raised in one of Northampton’s most disadvantaged regions and having worked as a doorman, he became fearless.
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of his conversation with Vickery was when Thompson disclosed his regrets about the career he once held dear.
He expressed, “Looking back, if I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t choose rugby.”
“I would prefer to be on a construction site and lead a normal life. That was our profession, and we were expected to excel at it.”
“Without questioning anything about it, we did what we could to succeed, which likely played a part in our accomplishments.”
Thompson struggles to recollect his first concussion or the last; he just knows he frequently saw ‘the white dots’ throughout his remarkable rugby journey.
WHAT IS EARLY-ONSET DEMENTIA?
Dementia is a term that encompasses a range of symptoms, including memory impairment, challenges with thinking, problem-solving difficulties, and issues with language.
A person living with dementia may also experience shifts in mood and behavior.
This condition is often the result of ailments that harm the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease or strokes.
The disease is believed to stem from abnormal structures, known as ‘plaques’, that develop in the brain due to protein buildup.
Dementia advances over time, affecting more areas of the brain and introducing additional, worsening symptoms.
A diagnosis of early-onset dementia is given to people diagnosed before the age of 65.
A study from last year indicated that football and rugby players are six times more likely to develop chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition linked to repeated brain injuries.
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Originally from Hemel Hempstead and raised in Northampton, Thompson played hooker in the 2003 final that took place in Australia.
He enjoyed nine years with Northampton Saints, making 195 appearances for the team.
After Jonny England’s sole World Cup championship, Thompson and his teammates received medals from Queen Elizabeth II upon their return.
However, Thompson is unable to recall any of these monumental experiences.
While many players hung up their boots after 2003, he continued to compete in the 2011 World Cup despite sustaining a neck injury in 2007.
His professional rugby career lasted 13 years, concluding in 2011 due to yet another neck injury.
“We treat players like they are merely meat that must train and follow orders, and when they don’t perform, we discard them—and that’s the harsh truth.”
Steve Thompson
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In 2020, Thompson joined other players in launching a legal case to sue rugby’s governing bodies for negligence.
The ex-Saints player, along with Michael Lipman and former Wales No8 Alix Popham, were designated as test cases against the RFU, World Rugby, and Welsh Rugby Union.
This legal struggle is ongoing, with four additional British & Irish Lions now involved.
Lee Byrne, Gareth Cooper, Harry Ellis, and Phil Greening, who toured with the Lions from 2001 to 2009, are among the 43 identified players.
According to the Mail, the British legal firm Rylands Legal has contacted over 100 former players as part of this landmark lawsuit.
The plaintiffs allege that rugby union‘s governing bodies failed to implement adequate safety regulations to safeguard their health.
A trial date for the lawsuit is expected to be set no sooner than 2025.
Thompson told The Guardian in 2020: “I don’t wish for the sport to cease, but everyone in a leadership role must recognize that the primary asset of this beautiful game is the players.
“We need to ensure they are treated with the respect they are due.
“They are treated as just commodities, expected to train and perform, and when they do not, they are disposed of—and that is the unfortunate reality.”
Last year, Thompson made history as the first athlete to pledge his brain for research on the effects of brain trauma, including CTE, which results from consecutive head injuries.
“Concerning CTE and repeated head injuries, training also plays a role,” Thompson stated on GMB in April.
“World Rugby asserts that player safety is their top priority, yet they are about to introduce another global tournament for clubs.”
The documentary encapsulates this entire narrative—from Thompson, along with his family, coping with his diagnosis to him advocating for safer rugby standards.
Thompson, who holds 73 England caps, reports experiencing panic attacks and sometimes struggles to remember his wife Steph’s name.
He previously mentioned to the BBC in April that memories of his children’s births are beginning to slip away.
The former hooker, crucial in the British Lions‘ 20-17 win over Australia in 2013, currently coaches an U12 football team for one of his daughters.
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