Head On: Rugby, Dementia and Me

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BBC Two - Head On: Rugby, Dementia and Me

Ex-rugby player Steve Thompson's life has been turned upside down by early onset dementia.

Ex-rugby player Steve Thompson's life has been turned upside down by a diagnosis of early onset dementia. Steve and his family attempt to come to terms with the condition.

In 2003, Steve Thompson played a vital role in England winning the Rugby World Cup. In the last minute of extra time, with the scores tied, Steve threw the ball in from a line-out that was passed to Jonny Wilkinson, whose drop goal dramatically won the match. It is one of the most memorable endings to a game in rugby history - but now retired and aged 42, Steve doesn’t remember it. Just like he doesn’t remember a huge amount of his professional career.

At the end of 2020, Steve’s life was turned upside down by a devastating diagnosis of early onset dementia and probable CTE, a degenerative brain condition linked to repetitive trauma to the brain. And Steve isn’t alone. Hundreds of former rugby players are now showing symptoms of the disease.  

In this documentary, Steve reveals the devastating physical and mental impact that his career as a professional rugby player has had on his health, family, work and day-to-day life.

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Head On: Rugby, Dementia and Me

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