Gamers ought to begin lacking video games in an effort to defend them from long-term mind accidents following the information that former Wales captain Ryan Jones has early-onset dementia, a number one security marketing campaign group for the game has stated.
The 41-year-old Jones, capped 75 occasions and a member of the British and Irish Lions squad on the 2005 tour of New Zealand, revealed he had obtained the analysis of possible continual traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in December final 12 months.
He’s the most recent in a variety of high-profile former gamers to be identified with the illness and now Progressive Rugby – a non-profit rugby union foyer group – has known as for motion.
It stated in an announcement: “Ryan Jones is the most recent high-profile participant to disclose this devastating analysis, however sadly he will not be the final.
“We commend Ryan’s bravery for talking out on behalf of the quite a few different gamers within the skilled and beginner recreation who’re nonetheless coming to phrases with the brutal impression mind damage is having on their life.
“The main target should now be on studying the teachings and guaranteeing that present and future gamers are shielded from the identical debilitating destiny.
“It’s time for everyone concerned within the recreation to prioritize particular person participant welfare. If which means protocols erring on the aspect of warning and gamers being rested and lacking video games, it’s a small worth to pay to try to defend the long-term well being of its members.
“We are able to, and should, make the sport of rugby union as protected as doable in order that future generations aren’t disadvantaged of all of the fantastic issues it might probably supply.”
In an emotional interview with the Sunday Occasions, Jones revealed he fears for his future.
He stated: “I really feel like my world is falling aside.
“I’m actually scared as a result of I’ve received three kids and three step-children and I wish to be a implausible dad.
“I lived 15 years of my life like a superhero and I am not. I do not know what the long run holds.
“I’m a product of an setting that’s all about course of and human efficiency. I am not capable of carry out like I might, and I simply wish to lead a contented, wholesome, regular life.
It’s time for everyone concerned within the recreation to prioritize particular person participant welfare. If which means protocols erring on the aspect of warning and gamers being rested and lacking video games, it’s a small worth to pay to try to defend the long-term well being of its members
Progressive Rugby
“I really feel that is been taken away and there is nothing I can do.
“I can not practice tougher, I can not play the referee, I do not know what the principles of the sport are anymore.”
After being identified with despair Jones, who retired in 2015, stated he started to have short-term reminiscence issues and was changing into forgetful.
“It terrifies me as a result of I do not know if, in two years’ time, we’re sat right here and these episodes are per week lengthy, two weeks lengthy or everlasting,” added Jones, who resigned from his submit as efficiency director on the Welsh Rugby Union in October 2020.
“That is the worry, that is the bit that by no means leaves. That is the bit I can not shake off.
“Each episode I’ve additionally leaves a little bit of a legacy. Every little thing we cancel, each relationship that I poison or do not have time for anymore, simply makes it slightly bit more durable to manage. I do not know find out how to sluggish that down, make it cease, what to do.”
