Former England rugby captain Phil Vickery to donate brain for research after CTE diagnosis
Former England rugby captain Phil Vickery has pledged to donate his brain for research after receiving a probable CTE diagnosis.
The 50-year-old, who helped England win the 2003 Rugby World Cup, was given the probable diagnosis two years ago.
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, is a brain condition believed to be caused by repeated head injuries. It can be confirmed only after death.
Vickery is among more than 1,000 former players involved in legal action against World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union, the Welsh Rugby Union and the Rugby Football League.
The claimants accuse the governing bodies of failing in their duty of care to protect those involved in the game.
Vickery, who toured twice with the British and Irish Lions and won 73 England caps, has admitted that he has considered taking his own life.
He wants to ensure his brain can be used to further research into neurodegenerative diseases, which cause brain cells to become damaged and die over time.
“Is that gonna make someone stand up?” Vickery said in an interview with The Observer.
“I don’t know. What a horrible thing to say. But what does it have to take?
“With the knowledge that we have now, it makes you wanna cry. Because it’s f****** awful.
“Brain injuries are with you all the time, 24/7, 365 days a year, and it weighs heavy, and it grinds at you all the time. It won’t beat me. You know, I keep going.”
Vickery retired in 2010 after captaining England at the 2007 Rugby World Cup. Four years earlier, he started the final as England defeated Australia to win the tournament.
Steve Thompson, another member of the 2003 World Cup-winning side, has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia and probable CTE.
Thompson has said he has no memory of the World Cup victory.
The legal action has reached a key stage, with hundreds of cases at risk of being struck out because of a failure in disclosure.
The court has also heard an allegation that Richard Boardman of Rylands Garth, the solicitor who had led the case, provided “misleading evidence”. The claimants have since terminated his representation.
Senior Master Jeremy Cook has reserved judgement on the strike-out decision.
Despite his brain injuries, Vickery said he would choose the same career again if given the opportunity.
“The sport’s f****** amazing. Rugby’s an amazing sport. You know, the sad reality is I sit here today: would I do it all again? Oh my God, I would. I’m f****** mental, but I would because it’s amazing,” he said.
“I also sit here knowing there are lots of people out there, I believe, who are suffering because of the sport. And it’s not about blaming the sport and about getting all nasty and horrible.
“Let’s just f****** help people. There are people suffering, so let’s help them.”
