Former Wigan Warriors and Castleford Tigers prop diagnosed with brain tumour

There seems to be a growing number of bad news hitting the headlines at present.

But, one which circled social media last night was that of former Wigan Warriors and Castleford Tigers prop Danny Sculthorpe revealing his incredible health battles.

Sculthorpe tweeted: “I battle and battle though lots, physical injuries, 7 spinal ops, 29 knee ops , sepsis 3 times , 3 shoulder reconstructions , thumb fusion, recently diagnosed brain tumour , but I get on cos I have too!! And the only person I do it for is ME!!!!”

That is an incredible list and more than one person in a lifetime, but Sculthorpe continues to battle his way through like the warrior he is.

The 42-year-old came through the ranks at Leeds Rhinos but failed to play a game before making his name for Wigan between 2001 and 2006 where he made 72 appearances.

Sculthorpe would later go on to have spells at Castleford, Wakefield Trinity and Huddersfield Giants before hanging his boots up at the end of 2009 after a training incident at the Bradford Bulls.

All in all, the former ballplaying prop forward played eight times for England, before a serious spine injury forced him into retirement – an injury which he later received compensation for.

Sculthorpe has been open about the problems he suffered following that horrendous injury, suffering from depression and contemplating suicide before channeling his energy into the State of Mind mental health charity.

He speaks to sports clubs, schools, colleges, universities and workplaces about the importance of looking after their mental health and he released a book that did tremendously well amongst the rugby league fraternity.

Titled High, Lows and Hypos: The Danny Sculthorpe Story which, according to the description is an: “incredible story of being a sportsman at the top of your game to someone who came acutely close to losing everything. It’s how one man battled his black, emotional state to become an inspiration for all.”

That’s exactly what Sculthorpe is – an inspiration. His struggles that he continues to document on social media are well received and the 42-year-old continues to be upbeat and joyous despite the current situation.