Rugby League legend Garry Schofield confirms brain damage diagnosis

Rugby League legend Garry Schofield has revealed he has been diagnosed with brain damage as he steps away from the sport for good.

Schofield has been a staple in rugby league for almost four full decades with his professional playing career stretching from 1983 to 1999 before he would then move into the media, working as a pundit on TV before getting into written media.

For the past 13 years, he has produced a column for The League Express but in an emotional piece, he’s now confirmed that his latest column will also be his last.

Schofield, who is 59, has confirmed that he was diagnosed with brain damage in March 2023, something he had previously kept a ‘closely guarded secret’ as he spoke on the journey from initial treatment to diagnosis.

Ultimately though, he revealed: “I’ve been told I will end up with dementia, so the time has come for me to walk away from the game and to concentrate on my health,” as he revealed his aspirations to see his grandchildren ‘grow up to be great people’, like his daughter and son.

Rugby League legend reveals brain damage diagnosis

In an emotional but powerful final column, Schofield explained how and when his health issues first began as he detailed the four-year journey to learn of his diagnosis and what has followed in the subsequent 18 months.

Speaking on the early symptoms, Schofield explained: “I can trace my problems back to December 2019 when I had an operation to fix a detached retina in my left eye. But it wasn’t successful. Five or six days later, it felt like my head was going to explode. I needed seven more operations and three laser procedures.

“Eye pressure should be between five and 23 mmHg (millimetres of mercury), yet my recordings were 82, 79, 78, 68, 67, 58, 44 and 40 which were quite literally off the chart. The hospital told me I should be on the floor, crying out in pain with those readings.”

Eventually, after 56 hospital visits, his eye was removed in September 2022 but problems such as migraines, forgetfulness, anxiety and a lack of concentration led to a brain damage diagnosis just six months later. As such, his wife Alison is now his carer.

Reflecting on his rugby league career, the 500-plus-game veteran spoke on his journey from Clapgate Middle School to representing Great Britain on 46 occasions, even captaining them 13 times – something he noted: ‘Just reading that back makes me feel so proud’.

After thanking some of the iconic teammates he played with and the media members he worked alongside, Schofield would pay tribute to his mother and father as he bowed out of the sport of rugby league after four brilliant decades.

“Goodbye, Rugby League. It’s been a hell of a ride!”, were the words that put a wrap on a column of 13 years with that final edition available to read here.

Everyone at Serious About RL would like to thank Garry for his contributions and wish him the best in his future endeavours and with his current health issues.